H.A.R.V.E.Y AND F.R.I.E.N.D.S
GETTING TO KNOW US
The members of the current group all got together in the Blues show last November. Harvey has been a professional musician all his life and was immediately impressed with the talent in that show. The six members perform regularly around the Grand specializing in jazz standards and classic pop tunes. Contact information: Harvey Finstein 781-929-3312 Hfinstein@hotmail.com
Harvey Finstein
Harvey was the president and owner of Harvey Finstein School of Music for 21 years in Newton, Massachusetts. In addition, he was a Professor of Music at Lasell College teaching jazz and leading jazz ensembles. While at Lasell College, he directed three musicals: Company , Cabaret, and Spring Awakening. He was also Band Leader for Holland America Cruise Lines from 2011 thru 2018. Currently, he is very active performing and teaching in the Phoenix area.
John started playing piano at the age of five and the electric bass at the age of twelve. John’s first band was in junior high school. He later played in bar bands, big bands, wedding bands and jazz groups. John and his lovely wife, Pam, moved to Arizona in 2018. John continued to play in a number of bands in the Phoenix area playing jazz John Burton
Lisa Linville
My Dad’s love of singing barbershop and playing the piano were a big influence on my love of music. I began piano lessons in grade school and continued until high school. I sang in chorus, ensembles, and musicals throughout junior high and high school. Singing in choir and as a soloist at church were also an important part of my youth. As an adult, I continued to sing in church, gave piano lessons to kids and adults and became an elementary school music teacher. Moving to The Grand and joining the Music Club led to many wonderful opportunities. From the Grand Singers, Chorale, Good News Singers and Acoustic Instrument Group to many performance opportunities, I’m privileged to share the love of music with many talented musicians. Performing with Harvey and Friends is a dream come true!
Drew O’Connor Drew was born and raised in Chicago. IL. He started playing drums in his elementary school band. He received a music scholarship to high school. He studied percussion at the Chicago Conservatory College, DePaul University, and received a B.A. in Music Ed from Northeastern Illinois University. He has continually played the drums in a variety of bands including Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock ‘n Roll, and Wedding Bands.
Janis Powers Janis loved music and singing from a young age; singing ‘40’s tunes while her mom played piano, singing to her aunts’ early ‘50’s 45 rpm records on her little record player, listening to her dad croon-he had a beautiful Irish tenor voice. She had a home childcare for about 12 years and used songs to teach her kids and others their ABC’s, days of the week, months of the year, and putting on holiday shows for the parents. She directed a children’s choir for 4 to 6-year olds for a couple of years with her church (they said it couldn’t be done!) Then she moved and decided she needed more singing opportunities, so she joined her church choir and soon was invited to cantor as a soloist for mass and with the choir. She was 38 and a bit fearful of singing solo for a large congregation. She wanted to be her best so she took a semester voice class at a local college. She sang in church for 32 years before moving to The Grand in 2024. She immediate- ly joined the Music Club and is involved in as much singing as she can handle. Being asked to be part of Harvey and Friends band is an unbe- lievable Dream Come True. She dreamed of being the next Linda Ron- stadt in her 20’s. And now ….she is retired and having the time of her life singing jazz and more.
Gary Spears
Gary attended high school in Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. While pursuing a graduate degree in Ethnomusicology at UT, Gary had a career with UPS that lasted 30 years. After retire- ment, Gary and wife, Chaunna traveled full time for many years, eventually settling in Surprise, AZ. Gary has played trumpet with numerous ensembles in- cluding the very first University of Texas mariachi. In addition to Harvey and Friends , Gary currently per- forms with the Havin’ Fun Band , an eleven piece Swing Band, and the Arizona Winds Concert Band.
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