For a commercial real estate investor, Harry Selvin marches to his own drum – almost literally. The octogenarian runs Selvin Properties, a Westlake Village company that owns and manages offices building. And a few months ago, he opened a 150-room lodging in Thousand Oaks called the Palm Garden Hotel. But Selvin’s first love is music, something he hasn’t given up since deciding in the 1970s to set aside his career as a professional drummer. When he’s not busy with his many properties, Selvin leads the Harry Selvin Orchestra, a swing ensemble composed of 18 full-time and retired professional musicians. The group plays throughout the year, with the Thousand Oaks Street Fair an annual fall stop. And next month they’ll ring – or swing – in the new year at the Palm Garden’s New Year’s Eve event. “It’s a big group and we don’t make a tremendous amount of money, but we love it and do it for the love of it,” said Selvin, who began investing in real estate on the side when a musician’s salary couldn’t support his wife and children. “Somehow my music decreased and my business life increased, so I sort of gave it up for a while,” he said. Selvin started the orchestra about 15 years ago, but that doesn’t mean he has cut back on other activities. He’s married to his second wife, Maureen, whom he met playing tennis. “I call myself semi-retired now, and I’m busier than I’ve ever been,” he said. “And I hope I continue on for a long time.” – Bailey Brewer
Drumming Just Can’t Be Beat
