Take note: Pianist George Winston to perform at Cottey Oct. 23

George Winston was born in 1949 and grew up in Montana. His favorite music was interumental rock and rhythm and blues artists like Floyd Cramer, The Ventures, Booker T& The MGs, the late Jimmy Smith, and more. "I always was an avid listener ... in 1967, when I heard The Doors I started playing organ...in 1971, when I heard the 1920s and 1930s recordings of the great steride pianist Thomas 'Fats' Waller, I switched to solo piano," Winston said. He says his work is constantly evolving, and he draws inspiration from all of the places he visits. --submitted photo

Cottey College will be hosting a concert by George Winston Friday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. Winston is an internationally-known pianist that is attracting a lot of attention.

Kris Korb, coordinator of campus activities said she had already received inquiries from people all over, even before tickets went on sale a week ago.

"It's going to be an awesome show. I've already had a lot of calls about the concert," Korb said. "People from Kansas City have said they're coming down, and that doesn't happen often."

Winston has asked that concertgoers bring canned goods to the concert.

"He works with local food banks," Korb said. "All the CD sales and the canned goods go to benefit the local food bank."

Winston, who describes his style as melodic rural folk piano, will perform songs from his latest CD, "Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions -- a Hurricane Relief Benefit," as well as selections from his seasonal favorites Autumn, December, Winter into Spring, and Summer, as well as his Forest and Plains recordings.

Fans of the Peanuts comic strip and television specials will recognize his performance of Vincent Guaraldi's Peanuts pieces.

In 1984, he also recorded the solo piano soundtrack for the chlidren's story "The Velveteen Rabbit" with narration by Meryl Streep, andhas many other soundtracks and recordings on his resumé.

He will also perform New Orleans rhythm and blues piano, stride piano and more.

Winston also will conduct a workshop for local pianists 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts.

Winston's appearance is part of a tour that starts in Cheyenne, Wyo., Sept. 30 and winds up in Encinitas, Calif., Jan. 30, 2010.

The tour isn't a straight line -- after leaving Nevada Winston will head to Emporia, Kan. before heading east to Jefferson City. The rest of the tour is just as tangled, with the first two weeks in December featuring several performances in New York followed by performances in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia and then Wisconsin.

Tickets are on sale now for $8 for adults and $6 for youth/seniors and can be purchased by contacting Korb, at (417) 667-8181 ext. 2186.