George Winston Illness: Did George Winston Have Cancer?

Winston suffered from several forms of cancer, including thyroid cancer, skin cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome, the latter of which was resolved following a bone marrow transplant in 2023.

Winston was best known for his solo piano recordings. He released his first album in 1972 but only came to attention with the 1980 album, Autumn, which was followed by Winter into Spring and his most successful album, December released in 1982.

In total, 16 albums were released, accumulating sales of over 15 million, with the 1994 album, Forest earning him a Grammy award.

Winston played in three styles: the melodic approach he developed that he called “rural folk piano”, stride piano, primarily inspired by Thomas Waller and Teddy Wilson and his primary interest, New Orleans R&B piano, influenced by James Booker, Professor Longhair, and Henry Butler.