George Winston has frequently flirted with the mainstream, but the gentle, Grammy-winning piano player seems content lately to play for his devoted fan base. Which isn’t to say Winston lacks breadth. From his New Age-flavored seasonal collections on Windham Hill (“Autumn,” “December”) to his inspired Vince Guaraldi interpretations and tributes to New Orleans R&B, Winston has always toyed with the confines of being an instrumental artist. He plays today at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall, a show that doubles as a canned- food drive for Food Bank of the Rockies. $33-$35.
The Gaslight Anthem’s new album, “American Slang,” distills everything laudable about the New Jersey act, who often have been described as a more punk-rock version of Bruce Springsteen. Repeated listens reveal an expansive, less tightly wound band willing to inch away from its influences, though singer- guitarist Brian Fallon still owes much to both the Boss and his melodic-punk forebears. The band plays Saturday at the Ogden, with Chamberlin and Tim Barry, before taking on the Midwest leg of its tour. $22-$25. Ticketmaster
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
