Michael Feinstein. Photo by Stephen Sorokoff.
Michael Feinstein, pianist and vocalist, is a music revivalist and archivist of the Great American Songbook. He is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Pasadena Orchestra and the Artistic Director of the Palladium Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, home to an international arts festival and diverse, live programming. He is a multi-platinum-selling and five-time, Grammy-nominated recording artist. He has hosted a PBS three-part documentary on the history of the American popular song up to 1960 and an 11-part, prime-time series for PBS featuring theater performers and guest stars singing Broadway hits. Mr. Feinstein has also opened cabaret nightclubs in New York, San Francisco, and Carmel; composed the score for two stage musicals; appeared several times on Broadway in solo concerts and on TV talk shows. He has also hosted a radio show and authored a memoir. Mr. Feinstein gives over 100 performances every year on tour. He is a member of the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress and has designed a Steinway piano, called “The First Ladies,” inspired by the White House piano and signed by several former First Ladies.
…the many remarkable popular and jazz recordings of Tony Bennett were well-represented as Michael Feinstein paid tribute to his friend and early mentor.
In 2008, Mr. Feinstein founded The Great American Songbook Foundation for the research, promotion, preservation, and exhibition of early and mid-20th century American popular music. The non-profit foundation also educates high school students on the relevance of this music to their lives by holding an annual vocal academy and competition as well as master classes.
The evening’s program, well-researched and narrated by Mr. Feinstein, consisted of interesting stories and biographical information about the professional life and friendships established by Tony Bennett and a well-rounded selection of songs he recorded. Mr. Feinstein, dressed in a black sequined jacket, was backed by the 17-member Carnegie Hall Big Band. Throughout the evening various band members played outstanding solo spots in the songs. Unfortunately, no program was provided listing the musical selections and names of the band members but Mr. Feinstein indicated their names for applause after each solo. His musical arranger and director accompanied on piano. Mr. Feinstein himself exhibited his skill at the piano as he sang certain selections. On a large screen backdrop, photos of various celebrities and movie posters, as well as designs, underscored the narrative and created the mood for each song. Colorful, moving lights on both sides and above the stage added to the atmosphere as did the sound of falling rain which started midway through the program as a gentle breeze relieved the heat and humidity. Smaller screens near the ceiling on both sides afforded a very clear view of the stage to those seated in the upper rear orchestra and lawn area.
Age has not diminished Mr. Feinstein’s ability to hold a note over several bars, project a dramatic crescendo ending to a tune, or sing in falsetto mode, especially for dramatic effect in a tender ballad. As much as he favors certain songs, he never sings them in exactly the same way, altering rhythm and keys. He likes unusual arrangements that put two or more songs together in a medley in which one “wraps around” the other both musically and thematically. From the patriotic march of the Gershwin song, “Strike Up the Band,” to one of the evening’s beautiful and moving encores, Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” the many remarkable popular and jazz recordings of Tony Bennett were well-represented as Michael Feinstein paid tribute to his friend and early mentor.
Running Time: Two Hours with a 20-minute intermission.
“Michael Feinstein Presents ‘Because of You: My Tribute to Tony Bennett’” was performed on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the Filene Center at Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna VA 22182. For information about upcoming shows and tickets, please go online.
