Ian Lawrence Finkel
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Ian Finkel playing the xylophone
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1948-08-13)August 13, 1948 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 2020(2020-11-16) (aged 72) New York City, U.S. |
| Instrument(s) | Xylophone |
| Spouse(s) | Cheryl Ann Allen |
Ian Lawrence Finkel (August 13, 1948 – November 16, 2020) was an American musician specializing in the xylophone, author, and entertainer.[1][2]
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]
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]
Finkel was married to Cheryl Ann Allen. The couple had two children.
He died of complications of COVID-19inManhattan, on November 16, 2020, aged 72, after battling the virus since March while hospitalized for a stroke.[1]
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