Michael Feinstein

Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling, five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. His 150-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.

More than simply a performer, Feinstein is nationally recognized for his commitment to celebrating America’s popular song and preserving its legacy for the next generation. He serves on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board, which has been asked to ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America's sound recording heritage.

Feinstein’s love of song can be heard in The Sinatra Project, his 2009 Concord Records CD celebrating the music of “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” and in the PBS series Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook, in which he uncovers treasures from the Great American Songbook.

If that weren’t enough, Feinstein will serve as artistic director of the Center for the Performing Arts, a $170 million, three-theatre venue in Carmel, Indiana, scheduled to open in January 2011. The theater will be home to an annual international Great American Songbook festival, diverse live programming and a museum for his rare memorabilia and manuscripts. Starting in 2010, he also took over as director of Jazz and Popular Song Series at New York’s Lincoln Center.

Feinstein has written the score for the new stage musical The Gold Room, and he is working with MGM to turn The Thomas Crown Affair into a Broadway musical. He also is designing a new piano for Steinway called “The First Ladies,” inspired by the White House piano.

Before The Sinatra Project, Feinstein recorded Hopeless Romantics, a songbook of Harry Warren classics recorded with legendary jazz pianist George Shearing. In 2004, he completed a national tour with songwriting icon Jimmy Webb based on their CD Only One Life – The Songs of Jimmy Webb. The disc was named one of “10 Best CDs of the Year” by USA Today.

In 2003, Feinstein received his fourth Grammy nomination for his release Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, his first recording with a symphony orchestra. The year before, Rhino/Elektra Music released The Michael Feinstein Anthology, a two-disc compilation spanning the years 1987 to 1996 and featuring old favorites and previously unreleased tracks.

Feinstein hosted and produced The Great American Songbook, a 2003 PBS special and DVD set from Warner Brothers Home Video that traced the history of popular music in our country. His own record label, Feinery, a Concord Records subsidiary, released The Livingston & Evans Songbook, featuring Feinstein and special guest Melissa Manchester. Feinery also records favorite current artists and restores recordings and musical broadcasts from the golden age of popular song.

His Manhattan nightclub, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, has presented the top talents of pop and jazz, including Rosemary Clooney, Steve Tyrell, Barbara Cook, Glen Campbell, Diahann Carroll, Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Krakowski, Lea Michele, Cyndi Lauper, Jason Mraz and Alan Cumming.  Feinstein appears there for a sold-out holiday engagement every year.

His many other credits include scoring the original music for the film Get Bruce and performing on the television series “Caroline in the City,” “Melrose Place,” “Coach,” “Cybill“ and “7th Heaven.”

The roots of all this work began in Columbus, Ohio, where Feinstein started playing piano by ear as a 5-year-old. After graduating from high school, he worked in local piano lounges for two years, moving to Los Angeles when he was 20. The widow of legendary concert pianist-actor Oscar Levant introduced him to Ira Gershwin in July 1977. Feinstein became Gershwin’s assistant for six years, which earned him access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, many of which he has since performed and recorded.

Gershwin’s influence provided a solid base upon which Feinstein evolved into a captivating performer, composer and arranger of his own original music. He also has become an unparalleled interpreter of music legends such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Harry Warren.

Through his live performances, recordings, film and television appearances, and his songwriting (in collaboration with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Lindy Robbins and Carole Bayer Sager), Feinstein is an all-star force in American music. 

Shows:

Michael Feinstein appears in the following:

Celebrating Holiday Standards with Michael Feinstein

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Saturday at 6PM, tune in to a holiday celebration featuring rare tracks, including performances by Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Donny Hathaway, and even Cary Grant.

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Michael Feinstein's Definitive George Gershwin

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

In honor of the composer's birthday Michael Feinstein is sharing some of his favorite performances of Gershwin's music. 

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Swing Into Christmas with Michael Feinstein

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The apostle of the Great American Songbook sings a few tunes from his wide-ranging annual holiday show, live on Soundcheck.

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Guest Picks: Michael Feinstein

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Michael Feinstein loves to mix chocolate and peanut butter and was surprised after he watched 'Bridegroom.'

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Legendary Performer Michael Feinstein Goes '54 Below'

Friday, September 18, 2015

The Emmy and Grammy-nominated performer discusses his upcoming engagement and new partnership with a New York supper club in late December.

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MGM's Long, Lost Film Scores

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Thursday at 3PM, learn about the long, lost film scores of iconic MGM films with British conductor John Wilson and host Michael Feinstein. 

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The Divine Miss M

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

This week on Song Travels host Michael Feinstien sits down with Bette Midler. Tune in Thursday at 3PM for an afternoon of great radio and in-studio performances. 

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Kicking Off Frank Sinatra’s Centennial Celebration With Michael Feinstein

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Performer, vocalist, pianist and scholar of American popular song Michael Feinstein will talk about his week-long engagement at Birdland over the holidays. 

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Renée Fleming on Song Travels

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Today at 3PM, Renée Fleming visits with Michael Feinstein. Tune in to Song Travels for an hour-long conversation about songwriting and performance. 

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Chris Young, Star of Hit TV Series Nashville

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Thursday at 3PM, Michael Feinstein sits with rising country star Chris Young. Enjoy in-studio performances from this recent Grammy nominee. 

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Introducing Charenee Wade

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Today at 3PM, Michael Feinstein chats music and songwriting with accomplished jazz vocalist Charenee Wade. 

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Remembering Elaine Stritch

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Today at 3PM, Song Travels remembers Elaine Stritch. In one of her final interviews before retirement, Stritch joined Michael Feinstein for a candid talk about life on the stage & off.

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Songwriting with Herb Alpert & Lani Hall

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Today at 3PM, husband and wife team Herb Alpert & Lani Hall visit the Song Travels studio. The couple chats songwriting, jazz and Brazilian music. 

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NPR's Ari Shapiro and the Pink Martini Ensemble

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Thursday afternoon at 3PM, pianist & cofounder of the Pink Martini Ensemble visits Song Travels. Tom Lauderdale brings with him a few friends along, including NPR's Ari Shapiro. 

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Gloria Gaynor on the Great American Songbook

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Thursday afternoon at 3PM, American singer Gloria Gaynor sits down with host Michael Feinstein and chats the great American songbook. 

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Icons of Pops Concerts

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

In the finale to the American Pops series, host Michael Feinstein takes a look at some of lesser known gems by some of the most widely appreciated American pops composers.

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The Music of Brazil with Miloš Karadaglić

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Thursday at 3PM, Michael Feinstien is joined in-studio by Yugoslavian guitarist Miloš Karadaglić. In this episode, Karadaglić explores the work of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. 

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American Moderns

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tonight at 7PM, join Michael Feinstein as he reflects on 20th century modernism, and how it influenced composers such as George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, Oscar Levant and others.

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American Moderns

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Michael Feinstein reflects on how 20th century modernism influenced composers such as George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, Oscar Levant and others.

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Lost & Found in America

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Wednesday at 10 pm, Michael Feinstein shares his favorite discoveries from this era. In advance grab a free download of "Swanee River a la Debussy."

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