Oconto Falls “Friends of the Arts”

REMINDER!

Saturday, April 29, 2017 · 7:00 p.m.

Falls Area Performing Arts Center

210 N. Farm Road · Oconto Falls, WI

Special Steinway presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Community outreach – Donate canned food items for the local food pantry

Tickets available online and at the door  www.ocontofallsfriendsofthearts.com

This Oconto Falls Fine Arts Series event sponsored by –

Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts · Neva Hodge-Lemorande · Ursula Rathie

Amy Thiel

Amy Thiel, Choral Director
Oconto Falls High School

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING PIANIST GEORGE WINSTON PERFORMS IN OCONTO FALLS

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING PIANIST GEORGE WINSTON PERFORMS IN OCONTO FALLS

The Oconto Falls Friends of the Arts are proud to present grammy award-winning pianist GEORGE WINSTON as part of their 2016-2017 Fine Arts Series on Saturday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Falls Area Performing Art Center.

George Winston grew up mainly in Montana, and also spent his later formative years in Mississippi and Florida. During this time, his favorite music was instrumental rock and instrumental R&B, including Floyd Cramer, the Ventures, Booker T & The MG’s, Jimmy Smith, and many more. Inspired by R&B, jazz, Blues and rock (especially the Doors), George began playing organ in 1967. In 1971 he switched to the acoustic piano after hearing recordings from the 1920s and the 1930s by the legendary stride pianists Thomas “Fats” Waller and the late Teddy Wilson. In addition to working on stride piano, he also at this time came up with this own style of melodic instrumental music on solo piano, called folk piano. In 1972, he recorded his first solo piano album, BALLADS AND BLUES 1972, for the late guitarist John Fahey’s Takoma label.

Since 1980 George has released ten other solo piano albums: AUTUMN (1980), WINTER INTO SPRING (1982), DECEMBER (1982), SUMMER (1991), FOREST (1994), LINUS & LUCY – THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI (1996), which features compositions by the late jazz pianist, including Cast Your Fate to the Wind and pieces from the Peanuts’ TV specials; PLAINS (1999), which was inspired by his Eastern Montana upbringing, NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY – THE MUSIC OF THE DOORS (2002), and MONTANA – A LOVE STORY (2004) and GULF COAST BLUES & IMPRESSIONS – A HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT (2006).

Also, in 2001 George released REMEMBRANCE – A MEMORIAL BENEFIT, a six song CD of piano, guitar and harmonica solos, to benefit those affected by 9/11. He has also worked with the late George Levenson of Informed Democracy on three projects: a solo guitar soundtrack for SADAKO AND THE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES, and soundtracks of piano, guitar and, harmonica solos for PUMPKIN CIRCLE, and BREAD COMES TO LIFE. In 1984 he also did the solo piano soundtrack for the children’s story THE VELVETEEN RABBIT for Rabbit Ears Productions.

His solo piano release LOVE WILL COME – THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2 (released 2/2/10), features compositions by the late jazz pianist, including pieces from the Peanuts’ TV specials. His latest album SPRING CAROUSEL-A CANCER RESEARCH BENEFIT was just released in 2016.

Tickets are $40 and available online at www.ocontofallsfriendsofthearts.com   All seats are reserved.  A special Steinway presentation by performance sponsors Neva Hodge Lemorande and Ursula Rathie will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Just one more day until ADAM TRENT!