Musical inspiration often comes from nature: a colorful sunset, a landscape, a bird-call. Saxophonist, band leader, and Grammy Award-winning composer Paul Winter takes sounds he hears in nature, especially whales and wolves, and composes music in collaboration and imitation.

Since 1967, Paul Winter has directed the Paul Winter Consort, which became one of the earliest proponents of world music, combining elements from African, Asian, and South American cultures with jazz and "earth music."