In addition to being one of the leading musical entertainers and piano virtuosos of recent decades, Michael Feinstein’s work as an educator, archivist, interpreter, and ambassador of the Great American Songbook has established the honored musician as a preeminent force in contemporary music. His career as a top-selling and critically acclaimed artist has earned him five Grammy Award nominations, a special Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre, two Emmy nominations, and acclaim for his NPR series.
In 2022, Feinstein released Gershwin Country, an album of standards in duet with some of the biggest names in country music, including Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley. The same year, he made his debut at the legendary Café Carlyle in New York with sold-out performances.
In 2007, Feinstein founded the Great American Songbook Foundation to preserve and elevate America’s rich musical legacy, offering programs for the public and research opportunities for scholars, historians, and performers. The foundation also provides educational experiences for students, including the annual high school Songbook Academy. For more than a decade, Feinstein served as a founding member on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board.
Feinstein was named principal pops conductor of the Pasadena Symphony in 2012 and made his conducting debut in June 2013. He also serves as artistic director of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. Since 1999, he has served as artistic director of the Standard Time series at Carnegie Hall. In 2010, he became director of the Jazz and Popular Song series at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Feinstein’s at the Nikko, his nightclub at San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko, has presented the top talents of pop and jazz since 2013. His first venue in New York City, Feinstein’s at the Regency, featured major entertainers such as Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, Diahann Carroll, and Alan Cumming from 1999 to 2012. Feinstein opened a Los Angeles location, Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, in June 2019; two years later, he launched Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, and most recently debuted Feinstein’s at The Taper in Los Angeles.
Feinstein was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he started playing piano at age 5. At 20, he moved to Los Angeles, where he met the widow of legendary pianist-actor Oscar Levant, who introduced him to Ira Gershwin. 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.
