Ian_Finkel

Ian Finkel

Ian Finkel

American musician (1948–2020)

Ian Lawrence Finkel (August 13, 1948 – November 16, 2020) was an American musician specializing in the xylophone, author, and entertainer.[1][2]

Quick Facts Background information, Born ...

Early life and education

Finkel was the son of Fyvush Finkel, and Gertrude (Lieberman) Finkel. His brother, Elliot Finkel, is also a known entertainer. The brothers performed as the comedic-duet the Finkel Boys.[3][4]

Finkel attended Mannes School of Music at the New School and was a student of Walter Rosenberger.[1] He also studied under Norman Grossman.[5]

Career

Finkel was known as one of the world’s greatest xylophone virtuosos.[6] He was the musical director for Michael Feinstein. He also worked for Sid Caesar, Tito Puente, and Ginger Roberts.[7] He played with the New York Philharmonic and played with orchestras that accompanied Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.[8] He had concert tours in Japan, Korea, Canada, Mexico, England, and America.[9]

He was the editor of Solos for the Vibraphone Player and the writer of plays and musicals including Sophie Tucker in Person.[10] His books include Three is The Charm, Sex Stories My Wife Told Me, and Transmutation Blues and Vaudeville 1922, and numerous short stories.[11] In 2009, he authored the humorous book, You're Not Suppose to Be Here.[12]

Personal life

Finkel was married to Cheryl Ann Allen. The couple had two children.

He died of complications of COVID-19 in Manhattan, on November 16, 2020, aged 72, after battling the virus since March while hospitalized for a stroke.[1]

References

  1. [1]
    Kilgannon, Corey (2020-11-25). "Ian Finkel, 'World's Greatest Xylophonist,' Dies at 72". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  2. [2]
    Hughes, Allen (7 January 1973). "IAN FINKEL RAISES XYLOPHONE'S STATUS (Published 1973)". The New York Times.
  3. [3]
    "Ian Finkel Has Died". Theater Pizzazz. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  4. [4]
    "The Finkel Brothers – A Valentine To The Great American Songbook". www.wbgo.org. Retrieved 2020-12-10.[permanent dead link]
  5. [5]
    Barnhart, Stephen L.; Gillespie, John (2000). Percussionists: A Biographical Dictionary. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-29627-7.
  6. [6]
    "Ian Finkel Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  7. [7]
    "Ian Finkel – Jazz Arts Group of Columbus". Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  8. [8]
    "A tribute to Ian Finkel, the world's greatest xylophonist". Local 802 AFM. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  9. [9]
    "The Soul of the American Actor". www.soulamericanactor.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  10. [10]
    "Finkel-Art of the Xylophone Grand School Book 2". Steve Weiss Music. Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  11. [11]
    "Celebrated Entertainer Ian Finkel partners with More4Many Books – JT-PR". Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  12. [12]
    Finkel, Ian (2009). You're Not Suppose to Be Here. Bear Manor Media. ISBN 9781593935139. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
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