In 1966, Steve Winwood began playing the keyboards at the age of fifteen with the Spencer Davis Group. They performed with The Rolling Stones. In 1968, Winwood sat in on New York City studio sessions with Jimi Hendrix and ultimately appeared on Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland released in November that year, followed by Jimi Hendrix: The Cry of Love released March 5, 1971. Winwood's sound was also heard on Joe Cocker's Joe Cocker! in '69 and Lou Reed's Berlin in September 1973. He worked with a multitude of other fabulous artists including Eric Clapton before releasing his first solo album in June 1977, self-titled Steve Winwood. In July 1986, Winwood released "Back In The High Life." A year later, Steve was nominated for six Grammies and won three: Record of the Year, Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for "Higher Love, " and Best Engineered Recording.

Since then he has continued to team with other legendary musicians. To name just a few, Winwood's sound can be heard on Billy Joel's The Bridge, Tina Turner's Break Every Rule, James Brown's Gravity, Roseanne Cash's King's Record Shop, Jimmy Buffet's Hot Water, Phil Collins' But Seriously (a Rugged Elegance Select Top Performance of The Eighties).

In 2001, Winwood appeared on Jim Capaldi's Living on the Outside.

Capaldi, Winwood's good friend and bandmate passed away this year of cancer at the young age of 60.

Jim Capaldi (August 2nd 1944 - January 28th 2005)

The British drummer, singer, songwriter, and "rugged elegant" adventuresome spirit first found fame with Winwood when they were members of the band Traffic.

Last March, Traffic was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Winwood's legendary musical career has been a combination of solo gigs and signature contributions to some of the best artists on the planet.

In January, Steve Winwood added his vocals to two forthcoming releases in aid of the recent tragic events in Asia: "Give & Let Live" (Hope Collective) and "Grief Never Grows Old" (One World Project).

This Summer, Winwood will go on a solo tour starting on May 27th in Lake Tahoe Nevada, followed by concerts in Southern and Northern California, Bend and Jacksonville Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New York City's Beacon Theater, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Atlanta Georgia's Chastain Amphitheater, Ohio, Michigan, a Taste of Chicago, Michigan, and ending on July 3rd with Milwaukee Wisconsin's Summerfest.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will be joined onstage with Jose Neto on guitar, Jay Davidson on saxophone and flute, Karl Vanden Bossche on percussion and Richard Bailey on drums.

In addition to vocals and guitar, Winwood will be playing his Hammond B3 organ, the instrument he has been loyal to since the early 1960s.

For nearly four decades, Steve Winwood has remained a primary figure in rock 'n' roll and a respected innovator who has helped to create some of music's most celebrated achievements.

Winwood's skills as a composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist have developed an impressive catalog of popular music.

His most recent release, About Time, only served to expand that catalog, not only with a celebrated and critically lauded album, but also with one of an inspired new direction for the artist, impressively blending world music with his other rock and roll traditions.

The last time Steve Winwood toured the U.S. was in 2003, the same year About Time was released.

May 27 | Lake Tahoe, NV | Harrah's Hotel and Casino
May 28 | Lake Tahoe, NV | Harrah's Hotel and Casino
May 29 | Sonoma, CA | Sonoma Jazz Festival
May 31 | Anaheim, CA | House of Blues
June 02 | Santa Ynez, CA | Chumash Casino
June 03 | Temecula, CA | Pechanga Resort and Casino
June 04 | San Diego, CA | Humphrey's
June 06 | Palm Desert, CA | McCallun Theater of the Performing Arts
June 07 | Saratoga, CA | The Mountain Winery
June 08 | Saratoga, CA | The Mountain Winery
June 10 | Bend, OR | The Courtyard
June 11 | Jacksonville, OR | Britt Fest
June 12 | Woodinville, WA | Chateau Ste. Michelle
June 14 | Baltimore, MA | Ram's Head
June 16 | Rama, Ontario | Casino Rama Entertainment Center
June 17 | Verona, NY | Turning Stone Casino
June 18 | Atlantic City, NJ | Borgata Resort and Spa
June 20 | New York City | Beacon Theater
June 21 | Westbury, NY | North Fox Theater
June 23 | Hampton Beach, NH | Hampton Beach Casino
June 24 | Mashantuck, CT | Foxwoods Casino
June 25 | Danbury, CT | Ives Concert Park
June 27 | Atlanta, GA | Chastain Park Amphitheater
June 28 | Dayton, OH | Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts
June 29 | Midland, MI | Matrix: Midland Festival
July 01 | Chicago, IL | Taste of Chicago
July 02 | Interlochen, MI | Kresge Auditorium
July 03 | Milwaukee, WI | Summerfest

To find Steve online, go to:

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "back in the high life" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC