Joanne Furshpan & Bernie Furshpan Photo

From: Photo Coverage: Remembering Fyvush Finkel at the Metropolitan Room

Ian Finkel, the World's Greatest Xylophonist and Elliot Finkel, concert pianist extraordinaire offered a first-hand account of the incredible career of their father Fyvush Finkel last night in a touching memorial at the Metropolitan Room.  Fyvush had been performing in English and Yiddish roles for nine decades before his passing this summer.  His last engagement was at Mr. Finn's Cabaret in the Berkshires, and he had invited the cheering audience at the end of the show to come to his  94th birthday celebration on Oct 9th at the Metropolitan Room.  The evening instead was celebration of his life on stage with the performances by family and friends performing his songs, stories, and jokes.  To quote one of Fyvush's jokes, if he were present he would have opened the evening by saying, "I'm celebrating my 94th birthday today!"  after the applause died down he would then look around and  continue…."but I realize looking at this audience, it's no big deal!"