Xylophonist, Orchestrator, Arranger, Composer, Author, Playwright,
Raconteur, and Entertainer Extraordinaire. His Legacy Lives On…

In 2020, Ian succumbed to the terrible effects of the COVID-19 virus.
Please read the tribute to Ian from the New York Times telling of his artistic contributions.

Ian Finkel was regarded as the World’s Greatest Xylophone Virtuoso.
He appeared with and wrote for such stars as Tony Bennett, Whitney Houston,
Michael Feinstein, Sid Caesar, Ginger Rogers, Tito Puente, Larry Gatlin, M
artin Mull, and Madeline Kahn to name just a few.

Highly regarded in the music world, Mr. Finkel had appeared on all the major media outlets,
recorded for most record labels and had successful concert tours in Japan, Korea, Canada,
Mexico, England, Norway, Puerto Rico, and throughout the U.S. Ian collaborated
with Philip Glass and heard his works performed by numerous orchestras, s
uch as the American Symphony Orchestra and the Little Orchestra Society.

Ian performed in and wrote for countless television shows, films,
and live performances including (but not limited to): the Jerry Lewis Telethon,
Woody Allen’s Radio Days, Michael Feinstein on Broadway,
the Sid Caesar Show at the Village Vanguard and Broadway,
Second Avenue to Broadway, Fyvush Finkel Live, Love Laffs
with Teri Garr (Lifetime), Martin Mull (Showtime), Read-a-thon
with The Sesame Street Players, Rainbow Wars (Academy Award nominee),
Songs from the Neighborhood (Grammy Award winner), It’s Up To All Of Us,
Sophie Tucker In Person, Addicted to Show Business, Ian Talks—Louie Walks,
Nick at Nite Music of Vic Mizzy (Addams Family, Green Acres), IBM Industrials,
CNN, condo tours of Florida, and headlined on all the major cruise ship lines.

He has taught master classes and performed at hundreds of colleges across
the US and Canada including Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Peabody,
and Mannes School of Music.

Ian was an accomplished author having written 4 novels, a memoir,
a screenplay for television, stage plays, and numerous blogs and essays.

At the time of his passing, he had recently soloed with the
Columbus Jazz Orchestra, was working on a third solo album,
had planned a podcast series, a tour with his Jazz Quartet,
and concerts in New York City.

He is legendary and irreplaceable.

To learn more about this unique and irreplaceable artist, please see his recordings and books.