Tip-off
George Winston performing on Big Island

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

George Winston, the pianist-composer who also is a slack-key enthusiast, will give a solo piano concert at 7 p.m. July 9 at the Kahilu Theatre at Waimea's Parker Ranch Center on the Big Island.

Winston, a mainstay on the Windham Hill record label, also is the prime mover in spreading Island music to the Mainland through his Dancing Cat Records, which has signed a stellar roster of Hawai'i acts.

Winston also is known for the music for the TV "Charlie Brown" specials, plus a "seasonal" series of recordings entitled "Autumn," "Winter Into Spring," "December" and "Summer."

"Everything I do musically is inspired by the seasons," Winston said. "That's the undercurrent of everything I visualize as I play and listen to music."

He also tunes in to nature, via releases such as "Forest," a Grammy Award-winner, and his current CD, "Plains," certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The concert will benefit the Kahilu Theatre Foundation and the Hawai'i Island Food Bank; those attending are asked to bring a donation of a nonperishable food item.

Tickets: $30, $25, $15, on sale at the box office, from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Fridays. Reservations: (808) 885-6868.