It’s been two years since the passing of pianist George Winston.

His “December” album has been a part of our holiday season for 40 years and we’ve seen him in person numerous times at venues throughout the New York metropolitan area. So it’s not a surprise that when we think about people we miss at this time of year, we think of him – even though we didn’t know him personally.

“The Holly and the Ivy” is my favorite track on “December.” It’s his riff on a early 19th century British folk carol that otherwise is not particulaly stirring.

Instead, Winston imbues it with a passion that lifts the spirit. For me, it would not be the holiday season without hearing it at least once.

Here it is: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv0UoevHh28