David Feinstein

Michael Feinstein, born in 1956, is an American artist recognized for his work as a singer, pianist, and revivalist of the Great American Songbook. His career began after high school, performing in piano bars before moving to Los Angeles. There, he was introduced to Ira Gershwin, whom he assisted in cataloging a vast collection of recordings and unpublished sheet music by Ira and his brother, George Gershwin. This foundational work with Ira Gershwin led to a lifelong dedication to preserving this musical repertoire.

Feinstein has achieved significant recognition, including five Grammy nominations and a Drama Desk Special Award. He founded the Great American Songbook Foundation, an organization focused on preserving and educating about this musical heritage, and serves as artistic director for the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. His career includes numerous recordings, Broadway appearances, television specials, and a radio program exploring American popular song. He also established and managed successful nightclubs in New York and San Francisco dedicated to live musical performances.

Michael Feinstein's career is deeply intertwined with the preservation and celebration of the Great American Songbook. His early work cataloging the extensive collection of Ira Gershwin, which included unpublished sheet music and rare recordings by both Ira and his brother George, laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment. This dedication led to the establishment of the Great American Songbook Foundation in 2007, initially named the Michael Feinstein Initiative. The foundation is committed to the research, preservation, and exhibition of artifacts related to this musical genre, aiming to educate contemporary audiences about its significance. The foundation also hosts the Songbook Academy, a summer music intensive for high school students, and publishes a web series, "In the Archives with Michael Feinstein," that explores its collections.

As a performer, Feinstein is celebrated as a singer and pianist, known for his interpretations of classic American popular music. He has released numerous albums, spanning collaborations with composers like Burton Lane, Jule Styne, and Jerry Herman, as well as recordings featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin. His performances have extended to Broadway, including concert shows and a notable duo performance with Dame Edna. Feinstein has also been recognized with five Grammy nominations and a Drama Desk Special Award for his contributions to American musical theater. His work has been featured on television, including a PBS documentary series, and he has hosted a radio program, "Song Travels," exploring the history of American popular song.

Feinstein's influence extends to establishing performance spaces that foster live music. He founded and managed Feinstein's at Loews Regency New York, a highly regarded Manhattan nightclub that hosted prominent pop and jazz artists from 1999 to 2012. Following its closure, he opened Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco. He also entered a partnership that rebranded 54 Below as Feinstein's/54 Below. Beyond performance venues, Feinstein has served as Principal Pops Conductor for the Pasadena POPS, making his conducting debut in 2013. His memoir, "The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs," was published in 2012, further detailing his deep connection to the legacy of George and Ira Gershwin.