Podcaster interviews exceedingly private legendary singer & pianist

Michael Feinstein sits down with Tom Alvarez for wide-ranging interview

The latest episode of the On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez podcast features a rare interview with legendary singer and pianist Michael Feinstein. You can find the interview here.

Feinstein has built a dazzling career bringing the music of the Great American songbook to the world. From recordings that have earned him five Grammy Award nominations to his Emmy nominated PBS-TV specials, his acclaimed NPR series and concerts spanning the globe – in addition to his appearances at iconic venues such as The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and Sydney Opera House – his work as an educator and archivist defines Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time.

Feinstein is currently the Artistic Director of the Carmel Palladium and the Founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation.

Alvarez and Feinstein discuss Feinstein’s relationship with late singer Tony Bennett, the Carmel Palladium, the impact of music on memory, and a planned Great American Songbook Hall of Fame in Carmel.

“I believe we have the site nailed down,” Feinstein said. “We are doing a feasibility study and are lucky that we have some money to cover all of that, that will make it possible to have every bit of preparation properly covered.”

Feinstein says fundraising will continue to pay for a physical structure but was unsure of a timeline for the project.

“Feinstein is instrumental in preserving musical memorabilia related to the Great American Songbook,” said podcast host Tom Alvarez. “I’m excited that Michael shared on my podcast that he is close to making a physical museum a reality to house all the artifacts he has collected!”

Feinstein also outlined details for a tribute concert to Tony Bennett on May 17 in Carmel, which he says may be the first official performance of the Carnegie Hall Big Band outside of New York City.

The episode with Michael Feinstein and other episodes of On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez from the All INdiana Podcast Network are available now on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Past episodes feature actor Alan Cumming and broadcaster and singer Ari Shapiro, soprano Angela Brown, concert and cabaret headliner Anthony Nunziata, arts patron Frank Basile and Grammy nominated recording artist Marilyn Maye, among many others.

“This podcast brings together local, national and even global performers for intimate conversations,” Producer Alan Haw said. “The On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez podcast is an expansion of Tom’s brand and the niche he has created covering the performing arts in his column, on his website and as a regular on Life.Style.Live! on WISH-TV.”

Alvarez’s career as a journalist, broadcaster, producer, director, TV contributor, model, actor, writer, and lyricist spans 50 years.