Watch
  • PBS

Michael Feinstein's American Songbook

  • 2010 – 2013
  • Returning Series
  • Documentary
  • 3 seasons

Pianist-singer Michael Feinstein leads a tour through American musical history, from the jazz days of the 1920s through the music of World War II and on into the 1950s and '60s, with the advent of rock 'n' roll. In his quest to celebrate some of America's finest composers, he touches on the works of George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. The passionate preservationist shares personal stories of his efforts to save America's musical heritage, as well as anecdotes about composers and lyricists he's worked with over the years.

Latest: Season 3 · 2013

View all seasons
  1. E1. Show Tunes

    Apr 5, 2013

    Stars in the Broadway universe don’t shine much brighter than Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole.

  2. E2. Let's Dance

    Apr 5, 2013

    Fred Astaire is Michael Feinstein’s favorite singer—but he also was the favorite singer of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins. Why was this dancer, first-and-foremost, so beloved by the America’s great composers?

  3. E3. On the Air

    Apr 12, 2013

    Today, American Idol is the country’s biggest music star-maker, but decades ago, the Golden Age of Radio fulfilled the idol-making role in the USA.