Conference Activities

Concert: Steve Winwood

Wednesday, October 15
8:00 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. • Room 1, ICC Berlin (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

Don't forget to wear your badge.

SAP presents Steve Winwood.

Winwood was just a teenager when he rocketed into the international spotlight as the prodigious singer of the Spencer Davis Group. The blues and R & B-influenced rock of “Gimme Some Lovin'” and “I'm a Man” stood among the leading hits at the peak of the British Invasion; Winwood's singing drew comparisons to that of his idol Ray Charles – despite his tender age.

Looking for a wider artistic palette, in 1967 Winwood – along with friends Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, and Dave Mason – created the band Traffic, producing some of the most inventive and durable works of the psychedelic-tinged late-1960s.

Then, in 1969, Winwood and Eric Clapton formed the “supergroup” Blind Faith, which lasted for just one much-acclaimed album and tour.

After that, a reconvened Traffic recorded a series of standout albums through 1974, including John Barleycorn Must Die and The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys.

Later, Winwood set upon a successful solo career, turning out hits like “Higher Love” and “Roll With It.” Along the way, Winwood has also collaborated with and accompanied musicians from around the globe, including Jimi Hendrix (Electric Ladyland), Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, James Brown, Muddy Waters, Phil Collins, and Christina Aguilera.

After completing two recent tours – reuniting with Eric Clapton for a string of sold-out shows and opening for Tom Petty on his North American tour – it's clear that Winwood is a rock-and-roll classic and still going strong. His distinctive and soulful voice is one of the all-time great rock instruments. It bristles with the sheer joy of music making, blending rock, jazz, blues, and soul influences in his own, incomparable way.