Michael Feinstein bio

Michael Feinstein—celebrated multi-platinum recording artist, Emmy and Grammy nominee, Tony Award winner, and world-renowned music archivist—has spent more than four decades preserving and celebrating the Great American Songbook. Dubbed “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Feinstein has dedicated his life to bringing the music of the 20th century’s most beloved composers and lyricists to new audiences around the world.

His remarkable career began as a young protégé to the legendary lyricist Ira Gershwin, an experience that ignited his lifelong devotion to American popular song. Since then, Feinstein has released more than 30 acclaimed albums, including Pure Gershwin, The Sinatra Project, and Gershwin Country; collaborated with music icons such as Rosemary Clooney and Liza Minnelli; and performed for presidents, royalty, and sold-out crowds at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and venues worldwide.

A sought-after conductor, Feinstein has led major orchestras, including the Pasadena Pops (where he is conductor emeritus), served as a guest conductor with the Boston Pops, and appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. His artistic leadership extends to the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, where he serves as artistic director and founded the Great American Songbook Foundation and Songbook Academy, a premier youth music education program.

In 2024, Feinstein debuted Because of You: Michael Feinstein Celebrates Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend. Following a 50-city US tour, the concert—filmed at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and directed by Habib Azar—premiered exclusively on Carnegie Hall+ in August 2025 in celebration of Bennett’s birthday.

Feinstein is co-creator of Liza Minnelli’s recently released memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! (Grand Central Publishing, 2026), developed over two decades of recorded conversations and co-written with Pulitzer Prize winners Heidi Evans and Josh Getlin. The memoir features never-before-heard audio archives produced by Feinstein for the audiobook edition and has been acquired by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Discovery for both film and television, with Feinstein serving as producer of the adaptation.

His multi-year music production agreement with Magnolia Hill Productions / Warner Bros. Discovery includes composing and producing original music for each of the company’s upcoming film and television projects, including Return to Oz, for which he will also serve as producer. Additionally, Feinstein is developing The Gay American Songbook, a groundbreaking project that celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ composers and lyricists throughout music history.

Through his recordings, live performances, conducting, education initiatives, and upcoming film and television projects, Michael Feinstein continues to honor America’s musical heritage while shaping its future for generations to come.