Michael Feinstein, a fixture for years at the shuttered and soon-rejoiced Regency Hotel, opens a two-weeker at Birdland the 17th.
“I’m reinventing the American jazz songbook,” he says. “It’s from a jazz show point of view. Improvisational. Freestyle. Allowing more songs. I’ll work with sax and trumpet and have a jam session.
“Birdland’s my favorite room. The layout’s aesthetically perfect. Circular. Tiered seating. Everybody close to everybody. One show a night. I want a New York presence, so eventually I’ll have another club of my own here, but being at one place 14 years, it’s time to move on. There’s lots of places offered, but none quite right. Can’t do six months at one clip and then over and out.”
Why selling his townhouse and moving to — Indiana?!
“Feels a little shaky because I love this town. I’ll get a smaller place here. But so much stuff spirited away. Tons of 78 records. Boxes of 1930s orchestrations. Noël Coward original recordings gifted to me. My 8,000-square-foot home takes lots of care.
“Indiana I’ll build an American Jazz Museum. Today’s musicians live in turmoil and transition. Our tumultuous difficult lives are reflected in their music. Everyone’s staring at cellphones. I’ve disabled the e-mail on mine. I won’t be a slave to that little box. I want to remember the beautiful era. I want to preserve Americana.”
Odds & ends
Know how Yankified China’s getting? Shanghai does lox and bagels takeout . . . Is her lifestyle as fierce as purported, Mariah Carey says: “I’m a simple straight girl. Only my boobs have been way out for years.” . . . Producer Joel Diamond’s new record “Dreams Come True,” created for January’s 125th Rose Parade in LA, got chosen as its theme song.
How they are dating lately
Online’s personal dating ads: For Her, “Rubinesque” means she’s a lard butt. “Adventurous” equals one who slept with the entire shipping department. “Contagious smile”? The chick’s into big-time pills. “Emotionally secure”? The chick’s into big-time pills.
For Him: “Enjoys long walks.” His car was repossessed. “Believes in sharing” equals separate checks. “Loves candlelight dining.” Shove restaurants. It’s his place and Lean Cuisine.
Inside inside scoop
“The Lifestory That Inspired the Coen brothers Movie ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ ” is a subtitle coming out in a DaCapo memoir. The title is “Mayor of MacDougal Street.” It’s by guitarist Dave van Ronk.
Downtowner van Ronk, first white urban singer to find his own voice in the blues idiom, talks up would-bes like Bob Dylan, Peggy Lee, Thelonius Monk, Joni Mitchell. Same as the new film starring Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, he’s conjuring up the ’60s Beat Generation and passing the torch on to hustlers, poets, pols in Village dives.
Changing times
Performance enhancing drugs are evolving. Newer, faster, sleeker juice appears so fast that its testing isn’t yet perfected. Also, I’ve heard of things like athletes ingesting crushed antlers growing atop deer because, in velvet season, they could help. Even if A-Rod ends up road kill, said baggage is a weight that pro ball may carry around a long while.
Holiday beer
Start spreadin’ the news: The East End’s Christmas brews will include: Antifreeze English Old Ale, which runs a mile high in alcohol. Hammer & Sickle’s a candy flavored Russian Imperial stout. Southampton Publick House is pouring French Country Christmas Ale. Dan’s Papers says Montauk Brewing Co. is still testing whatever-the-hell Eastbound Brown Ale is.
In the 20s neighborhood, a mendicant with a seeing-eye dog has walked along working a cellphone.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.