Michael Feinstein to Play Carnegie Hall, March 9

Michael Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, will perform a new program of classic standards "My Romance: The Great American Songbook" at Carnegie Hall (154 West 57th Street in New York) on Friday, March 9 at 8:00 PM. He will be joined by an all-star band including musical director John Oddo on piano, George Rabbai on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dan Block on reeds, James Chirillo on guitar, Jay Leonhart on bass, and Dave Ratajczak on drums.

The concert will coincide with "The Soundies: A Musical History," a PBS documentary on the precursor to "music videos," which started appearing in the 1940s in restaurants and nightclubs. The short films featured the musical greats of the day including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. It will debut on WNET Channel 13 on Thursday, March 8 and air throughout the month during pledge drive. Michael wrote the theme song and serves as host.

Michael Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, rose to fame with his 1988 one man Broadway show, Isn't It Romantic. He enjoys an active performance calendar, including major concert halls, symphony orchestras, intimate jazz clubs and college campuses. More than a mere performer, he is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation.

He is currently producing a CD for his friend Liza Minnelli based on the music of her godmother Kay Thompson, the famed author, singer and arranger. He is producing a documentary feature on arts and society icon Kitty Carlisle Hart and has written the score for a new stage musical The Gold Room, opening soon in London's West End. His latest CD from Concord Records is Hopeless Romantics, a songbook of Harry Warren classics recorded with legendary jazz pianist George Shearing. In 2004, Michael completed a national tour with songwriting icon Jimmy Webb based on their CD, Only One Life - The Songs of Jimmy Webb. The disc was named one of "10 Best CDs of the Year" by USA Today.

In 2003 he received his fourth Grammy Award nomination for his Concord Records release, Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, his first recording with a symphony orchestra. Recently he hosted and produced The Great American Songbook, a PBS Special and DVD set from Warner Brothers that traces the history of popular music in our country and debuted at the Palm Springs Film Festival. His own record label Feinery, a new Concord subsidiary, records favorite current artists and restores recordings & musical broadcasts showcasing the nation's most admired and enduring entertainers. He recently completed a sold-out two week engagement at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London's West End.

Michael Feinstein sings "My Romance: The Great American Songbook" at Carnegie Hall (154 West 57th Street in New York) on Friday, March 9 at 8:00 PM. Tickets may be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or online by visiting www.carnegiehall.org.