Windham Hill Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Berkeley

The legendary label marks its golden anniversary with a new 14-track holiday album release.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in New Age

Abstract graphic illustration of stylized pine trees and snowflakes in cool blue and silver, representing the New Age musical legacy. — Windham Hill Records celebrates its 50th anniversary with the release of A Winter's Solstice Celebration, a 14-track holiday album. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you still incorporate traditional instrumental holiday music collections into your seasonal celebrations?

Windham Hill Records is celebrating its 50th birthday by releasing a new collection titled A Winter's Solstice Celebration. The 14-track album arrives to mark the 40th anniversary of the original platinum-selling series.

Why it matters

This release honors the legacy of the independent label that defined the New Age genre and provided a platform for influential solo instrumentalists. The project serves as both a retrospective of the label's history and a tribute to late artists who shaped its sound.

The new project raised more than $65,000 through a crowdfunding campaign to support its 14-track collection. This follows the massive success of the original 1986 A Winter's Solstice album, which achieved Platinum certification with over 1 million copies sold.

The players

Will Ackerman

He is the founder of Windham Hill Records whose musical style was heavily influenced by the landscape of Vermont.

George Winston

The late pianist was a central figure in the label's history and is featured on the new album via a previously unreleased track.

Philip Aaberg

The late pianist and composer recorded his final work for the label before his death in May 2026.

The details

Co-produced by Dawn Atkinson, Bob Duskis, and Will Ackerman, the album includes a previously unreleased piano piece by the late George Winston. The collection notably features 'Carol for Ukraine' by the late pianist Philip Aaberg, with artists retaining full ownership of their recordings.

1986: The original A Winter's Solstice album was released.
December 2025: Philip Aaberg premiered Carol for Ukraine in a live performance.
May 2026: Pianist Philip Aaberg died.
October 30, 2026: The news of the album release was published.
November 1, 2026: Windham Hill hosts an anniversary event at the Freight in Berkeley.

Industry Dynamics

The current release directly follows the template established by the 1986 A Winter's Solstice album, which remains a landmark for New Age commercial success. This new collection highlights how the label continues to leverage its historic catalog and artist loyalty as it marks its 50th anniversary.

Fans can support the label's milestone by engaging with the newly released 14-track collection. Local supporters in the Berkeley area can also attend the label's 50th-anniversary celebration taking place on November 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The successful Kickstarter campaign underscores the enduring connection between Windham Hill and its dedicated fan base after half a century. This release demonstrates how legacy labels can successfully utilize modern crowdfunding to preserve their niche musical history.