By Jocelyn Bogen
December 7, 2009

Michael Feinstein, a multi'platinum selling, five'time Grammy nominated entertainer and one of the premiere interpreters of American Popular Song, will be performing at the 78th Winter Meeting Gala held at the National Building Museum Thursday, January 21. In addition, the Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts will be honoring Feinstein as the 2010 Legendary Artist award for his outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts.

Feinstein is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation. His 150 plus shows a year have included Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and major concert halls, as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.

Feinstein started playing piano by ear when he was five years old. After graduating from high school in Columbus (OH), he worked in local piano lounges for two years, moving to Los Angeles when he was 20. Through the widow of legendary concert pianist'actor Oscar Levant, he was introduced to Ira Gershwin in July 1977. Feinstein became Gershwin's assistant for six years, granting him access to numerous unpublished Gershwin songs, which he has since performed and recorded.

Gershwin's influence provided a solid base upon which Feinstein has not only evolved into a captivating performer, composer and arranger of his own original music, but has also become an unparalleled interpreter of music legends such as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Harry Warren.

This year, Feinstein earned his fifth Grammy Award nomination for the The Sinatra Project – his latest CD from Concord Records that celebrates the musical sensibilities of "Old Blue Eyes" Frank Sinatra. Feinstein is currently preparing a PBS'TV series, "Michael Feinstein's American Popular Song" – to start airing in 2010 – in which he discovers treasures of the Great American Songbook around the world.

Feinstein will also serve as the Artistic director of the Carmel Performing Arts Center, a $160 million three'theatre performing arts center in Carmel (IN) that will host an annual international Great American Songbook festival, along with diverse live programming and a museum to house his rare memorabilia and manuscripts.

Note that the night of the Gala has been moved to the evening of Thursday, January 21 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.