As the world and rock ’n’ roll’s place within it have changed, one thing is constant: the cool, unassuming virtuosity of Steve Winwood. He started his career as organist and sometime vocalist for U.K. soul stalwarts The Spencer Davis Group, before moving on to blend elements of folk, jazz, soul and prog with Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi in the iconic ensemble Traffic (with side projects including Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech, and side gigs like playing pitch-perfect organ on the long version of “Voodoo Chile” on Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland). His solo career began in the late ’70s, and his innate organic funkiness even survived the square-ifying influence of the 1980s, at the end of which decade he moved to Nashville. (He and his wife have since bought an old manor house in the south of England, but he still performs and records here — he’ll be honored with a star on the Nashville Walk of Fame in June.) On Wednesday’s visit to the Mother Church, Winwood will be joined by his daughter, Lilly. STEPHEN TRAGESER
Steve Winwood
