SWING IN THE HOLIDAYS At Feinstein's 11/30-12/30

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post will conclude its Fall 2010 season with the return of the club's founder Michael Feinstein in an exclusive engagement from November 30 to December 30. Feinstein's longtime Musical Director John Oddo will lead the 12-piece Winter Wonderland Big Band in a collection of holiday favorites and classic standards. The program will also include a tribute to the legendary Broadway songwriter Jerry Herman, who will celebrate his 80th birthday next year. All shows take place at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

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 150-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace. More than simply a performer, Feinstein is nationally recognized for his commitment to celebrating America's popular song and preserving its legacy for the next generation.

Feinstein's love of song can be heard in The Sinatra Project, his 2009 Concord Records CD celebrating the music of "Ol' Blue Eyes," and in the PBS series "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook" in which he uncovers treasures from the Great American Songbook. When the three-part documentary/reality program aired in October 2010, it was one of the most critically acclaimed and most-watched music programs on PBS programs this year. Feinstein will serve as artistic director of the Center for the Performing Arts, a $170 million, three-theatre venue in Carmel, Indiana, opening in January 2011. The theater will be home to an annual international Great American Songbook festival, diverse live programming and a museum for his rare memorabilia and manuscripts. Starting in 2010, he also took over as director of Jazz and Popular Song Series at New York's Lincoln Center.

His recent CD, The Power of Two - with Broadway leading man Cheyenne Jackson - was called "passionate, impeccably harmonized and groundbreaking" by The New York Times. Michael and Cheyenne just reprised the program at Carnegie Hall with a 17-piece band. Michael's latest CD, with guitar legend Joe Negri, is entitled Fly Me To The Moon. Feinstein has written the score for the new stage musical The Gold Room, and he is working with MGM to turn The Thomas Crown Affair into a Broadway musical. He also is designing a new piano for Steinway called "The First Ladies," inspired by the White House piano.

The roots of all this work began in Columbus, Ohio, where Feinstein started playing piano by ear as a 5-year-old. After graduating from high school, he worked in local piano lounges for two years, moving to Los Angeles when he was 20. The widow of legendary concert pianist-actor Oscar Levant introduced him to Ira Gershwin in July 1977. Feinstein became Gershwin's assistant for six years, which earned him access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, many of which he has since performed and recorded.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will present Michael Feinstein from November 30 to December 30 with the following schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM. Please note: There will be two performances on Thursday, December 23 and 30 at 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM; there will be only one show on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25 at 8:00 PM. There will also be an extra performance on Monday, December 27 at 8:30 PM. Performances have a $95.00 cover with $175.00 premium seats and $250 up-front seats available, in addition to a $40.00 food and beverage minimum. There are a select amount of seats, based on availability, with a $40.00 cover charge and no food and beverage minimum. Jackets are suggested but not required. The club is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For ticket reservations and club information, please call (212) 339-4095 or visit us online at Feinsteinsatloewsregency.com and TicketWeb.com.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi

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