Michael Feinstein returns to Washington for a solo concert in the Kennedy Center celebrating the songs he recorded for the Sinatra Project and other favorites. “The project was my way of thanking Frank Sinatra for his kindness to me at the start of my career,” he said. “His professionalism was a great influence on me and I’ve tried to emulate his ability to present a song.”
Feinstein grew up in Columbus, Ohio, enamored by the popular music he began playing in local piano bars. He was only 20 when he made his way to L.A. and soon met pianist Oscar Levant who introduced him to Ira Gershwin. He accepted Gershwin’s invitation to become his assistant and, for the next six years, archived the published and unpublished songs by Ira and George. Along the way, he met and became caretaker of music by other major composers. Today he serves on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board.
| Onstage |
| Michael Feinstein |
| Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: $40 to $75 at 202-785-9727 |
This past February, the Feinstein’s work began making its way to the new Center for Performing Arts in Carmel, Ind., a multimillion-dollar complex holding a museum and library with interactive displays and online access around the world. The 1,600-seat Palladium Theater, opened in February, will host guest artists.
“The museum and library will be completed in about two years,” Feinstein said. “It will grow incrementally as we transfer in the many orchestrations, original sheet music and artwork. In the meantime, I continue sifting through my collection and occasionally make important discoveries. Several years ago during my research I found a lost song by Cole Porter written for ‘The Gay Divorcee.’ Last year, I found an unknown Johnny Mercer song.”
This year began with another success for Feinstein, a duo CD with Broadway legend Barbara Cook. Titled “Cheek To Cheek,” it alternates their harmonious duets with solo interpretations of timeless pop standards like “Without A Song,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”
Never standing still, Feinstein has projects aplenty underway, including writing the score for “The Gold Room,” a musical about the heiress Barbara Hutton set during the period of her life in the 1950s when she gave up her residence to the U.S. government. He is also composing the score for a musical based on MGM’s “The Thomas Crown Affair.”
“I love composing, performing and sharing this wonderful music with my audiences,” he said. “In looking back at all I’ve managed to accomplish and ahead to future opportunities, I feel very lucky.”
