Here's George.

Exceptionally talented pianist George Winston is scheduled to perform at the State Theatre for a holiday concert to celebrate seasonal favorite melodies. While spending his childhood in Montana, Winston discovered a passion for music (especially rock and R&B), and that tingle motivated him to experiment with the acoustic piano after learning to play the organ. His tingles were further ignited after hearing the legendary stride (a style of jazz developed from ragtime) pianists Tomas “Fats” Waller and the late Teddy Wilson. Intrigued by the melodies and chord progressions of Vince Guaraldi, he has followed the Peanuts composer quite intimately and consequently has become associated with covering Peanuts tunes and recording two albums of them. Since then, Winston has developed into a nationally acclaimed pianist. Starting his career with stride piano, he later went on to discover folk piano. Since his first release, Ballads and Blues in 1972, Winston has not slowed down, releasing 10 other solo piano albums including the most current: Love Will Come – The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol. 2, for which he is currently on a national tour. Winston’s highly anticipated performance in Eau Claire will feature songs from his most recent CD, along with a collection of seasonal favorites from his Autumn, December, Winter Into Spring, and Summer recordings executed in his melodic folk piano style.

George Winston • Dec. 21 • The State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St. • 7:30pm • $35 • 832-ARTS • eauclairearts.com