Middle-Eastern Influences Celtic Influences Brazilian Influences Russian Influences

A 6-month concert tour of Latin America as a young graduate with his Paul Winter Sextet had a profound effect on Paul Winter, proving to be a true mingling of cultures and an exchange of musical and social ideas. The experience opened his ears and mind to the concept of a broader musical realm, which would embrace music from different cultures and genres.

On its return from the tour, the Paul Winter Sextet became one of the first groups to assimilate the syncopations of Brazil's bossa nova into its sound and later, at the invitation of Jackie Kennedy, it became the first jazz group to officially perform at the White House.

Infused with the rhythms and melodies of so many of the world's cultures, Winter formed the Paul Winter Consort in 1967 to move into a broader realm of music and explore a richer texture of sound.

"One of the more unusual aspects of the Consort has been the infusion of world music elements long before it became a buzzword." (John Diliberto)

"The Paul Winter Consort [...] became one of the earliest exponents of world music, combining elements from various African, Asian, and South American cultures with jazz"(Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide)

"World music has always been part of the Consort mix. In the mid-1960s, Winter made a conscious turn from the button-down be-bop and bossa nova jazz that he recorded on three albums for Columbia. Emerging out of jazz, 60s folk eclecticism and eastern influences via the Beatles and rock, the Consort was a group where you were as likely to hear darbuka and sitar as saxophone and guitar. [...]
Winter continues these themes today" (John Diliberto)

MIDDLE EASTERN INFLUENCES

EVERY DAY IS A NEW LIFE by Arto Tuncboyaciyan

EVERY DAY IS A NEW LIFE by Armenian, Arto Tuncboyaciyan

A dynamic world music experience, EVERY DAY IS A NEW LIFE is the US debut by legendary Armenian musician, Arto Tuncboyaciyan who sings accompanying himself on the traditional 6-stringed sazebo, and plays the traditional double-reed duduk and percussion.

JOURNEY WITH THE SUN by Paul Winter and the Earth Band

Adventures of a caravan of world musicians, JOURNEY WITH THE SUN was nominated for a World Music Grammy Award.

CELTIC INFLUENCES

Celtic Solstice: featuring Davy Spillane, Karan Casey, Joanie Madden, Eileen Ivers

Grammy Award-winning CELTIC SOLSTICE

"...Winter shines alongside the likes of uilleann pipes masters Davy Spillane and Jerry O'Sullivan, whistle and flute player Joanie Madden, fiddler Eileen Ivers, vocalist Karen Casey, harp player Carol Thompson, bassist Bakithi Kumalo, bodhrán player Austin McGrath, guitarist Zan McLeod, percussionist Jamey Haddad, and keyboardist Paul Halley [...] A wonderfully produced and uplifting album" (BILLBOARD MAGAZINE - Spotlight Review)

more about Grammy-winning CELTIC SOLSTICE

CELTIC SOUL by Irish singer Noirin Ni Riain

CELTIC SOUL by Nóirín Ní Riain

"a collection of delightful songs that paint a vivid portrait of the Celtic musical spirit" (BILLBOARD MAGAZINE)

BRAZILIAN INFLUENCES

BRAZILIAN DAYS: Bossa nova gems by Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Noel Rosa, played by Oscar Castro-Neves and Paul Winter

BRAZILIAN DAYS by Paul Winter and Oscar Castro-Neves

Precious gems from Brazil's treasury of bossa nova featuring songs written by legendary Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Noel Rosa and more.

OSCAR by Oscar Castro-Neves

Guitarist, composer, pianist, singer, arranger and musical bon vivant, Oscar weaves the rhythmic joy of his Brazilian guitar and vocal music with the sound of the Paul Winter Consort and other friends in this collection of vibrant and haunting compositions.

"A small gem. [..] achingly beautiful" (THE WASHINGTON POST)

RUSSIAN INFLUENCES

EARTHBEAT: ancient Russian village songs performed by the Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble and the Paul Winter Consort

EARTHBEAT by the Paul Winter Consort and the Dmitri Pokrovsky Singers

"For centuries, trained composers have tried rearranging folk music. In this ground-breaking album, Paul Winter does something that may set a new path - of juxtaposing and superimposing different idioms. It may raise eyebrows. I think it's great." (PETE SEEGER)

FESTIVAL OF WORLD MUSIC

SOLSTICE LIVE!, with 20 guest artists from around the world

"Paul Winter's annual winter solstice performances aren't just yuletide celebrations, but a global ritual played out in the embracing echoes of the cathedral of St John the Divine. Winter draws together musicians from around the world and, like the cathedral, gathers their music under the broad umbrella of the Consort." (John Diliberto)