NJ Symphony Presents 'An Evening with Michael Feinstein', 6/11

Michael Feinstein, the five-time Grammy-nominated interpreter of the Great American Songbook, joins the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for a program celebrating the music of "Ol' Blue Eyes," Frank Sinatra. The June 11 concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) closes the NJSO's 2011-12 POPS series in grand style.

The New York Times dubbed Feinstein's 2008 album "The Sinatra Project," a collection of rare Sinatra arrangements and alternate versions of familiar classics, "a record that differs from all other tributes to Ol' Blue Eyes in its fusion of Mr. Feinstein's passions for performing and musical archaeology."

Feinstein brings that passion for performing and his deep knowledge of Sinatra's classics and rarities back to the NJSO stage; the vocalist last appeared with the Orchestra in 2008. Sam Kriger conducts.

The performance takes place on Saturday, June 11, (8 p.m.) at NJPAC in Newark.

TICKETS

Tickets range in price from $20 to $82 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

THE ARTISTS
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 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.

Feinstein earned his fifth Grammy nomination for "The Sinatra Project," his CD celebrating the music of Ol' Blue Eyes. His PBS series "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook," in which he uncovers treasures of classic American music, is available on DVD. The series will return with six primetime episodes in the fall. Recently, he released the albums "The Power of Two"-a collaboration with Cheyenne Jackson-and "Cheek to Cheek," recorded with Broadway legend Barbara Cook.

Feinstein is Artistic Director of the Palladium Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the Great American Songbook Festival. In 2010, he became Director of the Jazz and Popular Song Series at New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center. His nightclub, Feinstein's at Loews Regency, presents top talents of pop and jazz.

He serves on the Library of Congress' National Recording Preservation Board, which works for the survival, conservation and public availability of America's sound heritage.

After graduating from high school, Feinstein worked in local piano bars before moving to Los Angeles at 20. Feinstein was introduced to Ira Gershwin in 1977 and became Gershwin's assistant for six years, earning access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs that Feinstein has since performed and recorded.

Sam Kriger has extensive credits as a musical director, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, composer, producer, accompanist and vocal coach for television, film, radio, the recording industry, video and theatre.

He is currently musical director, conductor and arranger for such artists as Mickey Rooney, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Lynda Carter and Roslyn Kind; he has worked with Adrienne Barbeau, Ann Blythe, Florence Henderson, Bernadette Peters and Bonnie Raitt, among others. He appeared in the PBS special "In Performance at the White House" with Shirley Jones.

Kriger has enjoyed a long relationship with Disney, serving as the vocal coach for Brandy, Mel Gibson, Danny DeVito, Minnie Driver, Zach Braff, Joan Cusack and others; he also contributed to The Princess and the Frog, Mulan and The Emperor's New Groove. He has also worked with DreamWorks on such films as The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado and Amistad. He scored the music for the feature film Screenplay.

Theatre credits include productions of Swing!, Can-Can, Romancing the Throne, A Chorus Line, Assassins, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Pirates of Penzance and Show Boat. He is the recipient of the coveted Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award for his work in musical direction.

As a pops conductor and pianist, he has appeared with orchestras including those of Detroit, Hartford, Syracuse and Reno. He assisted John Williams on "An Evening at the Boston Pops."

THE NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is comprised of some of the country's finest musicians. The Orchestra is proud to have Jacques Lacombe as its Music Director and Neeme Järvi as its Conductor Laureate. Artistic excellence, innovative programming and community engagement are hallmarks of its mission. To best serve the people of New Jersey, the orchestra brings its programs to seven outstanding venues throughout the state. Education and community engagement programs enrich the listening experience for children and adults alike. Select performances of the NJSO are broadcast regionally and throughout North America. United is the official airline of the NJSO.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra continues its major fundraising initiative-the NJSO Comprehensive Campaign. To date, more than $28 million towards a three-year $32 million goal has been raised in support of the Orchestra. For information about contributing to this historic campaign, contact Thomas Daubert, Director of Development, at 973.624.3713, ext. 269.

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, visit www.njsymphony.org or e-mail information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra's website.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.