George Winston, one of the most recognized pianists in the world, brings his tour to Musikfest Cafe, ArtsQuest Center, SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 7:30 p.m. April 15.

"It's great to be back in the area and in Bethlehem," he says in a phone interview.

Winston is expected to play selections from his lastest CD, "Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions 2 -A Louisiana Wetlands Benefit."

Winston began playing the acoustic piano in 1971 after being inspired by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Teddy Wilson.

Since 1972, Winston has recorded 13 solo albums, including soundtracks for the "Rabbit Ears" video of the children's story, "The Velveteen Rabbit," and for the Peanuts' episode, "This Is America Charlie Brown: The Birth Of The Constitution."

In addition to doing benefits for the Gulf area wetlands, which were devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Winston has been raising money for food banks since 1986 with concert CD sales earmarked for this cause.

"You can always find a place to sleep and get water somewhere, but where are you going to get food?" he says.

When asked if he has a favorite solo piece and why, he says, "No, I like all of my pieces. I won't play a piece I don't like. Things change all the time, but I really have to want to play a piece and work on it."