| Michael
Feinstein, was born in Columbus, OH,
and developed an interest in the piano
and in show music at an early age. After
moving with his family to Los Angeles in
1976, he met Oscar Levant's widow, who
in turn introduced him to Ira Gershwin.
He was hired by Gershwin in 1977 to help
organize The Gershwin archives, and
continued to work with the lyricist
until Gershwin's death in 1983.
In 1984, Feinstein launched a career
as a pianist and singer devoted to the
music of the '30s and '40s, playing at
private parties in the Los Angeles area.
He had a seven-month residence at the
Mondrian Hotel, during which Liza
Minnelli threw a party in his honor
(February 1985) that got his name
around. In January 1986, he opened at
the Algonquin Hotel in New York, where a
six-week engagement stretched to 16
weeks.
Feinstein's debut album, Live at the
Algonquin, mixed the songs of Irving
Berlin and Oscar Levant with more
current material by Stephen Sondheim and
Gretchen Cryer. By 1988 he had been
signed to Elektra Records, for whom he
has recorded a series of albums
spotlighting the work of specific
composers, among them 1998's Michael &
George: Feinstein Sings Gershwin, as
well as a children's album. |
