George Winston, pianist known for his ‘rural folk’ melodic style, dies at 73

George Winston makes an adjustment on his piano during a sound check before his performance at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California, on Nov. 4, 2004. Winston died Sunday after a 10-year-battle with cancer. (AP)

NEW YORK — George Winston, the Grammy-winning pianist who blended jazz, classical, folk and other stylings on such million-selling albums as “Autumn,” “Winter Into Spring” and “December,” has died at age 73.

According to an announcement on his website, confirmed by a spokesman, Winston died Sunday after a 10-year battle with cancer.