September 15, 2005

Dear Tom,

We recently had the great pleasure of hiring the Johnny Vana Big Band Alumni to perform at our Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks. Johnny was referred to us by Ira Nepus who helps with the selection of the bands for our Annual Jazz Concert Series each summer.

The response we received from the audience for this group was by far the most positive we have had from any group that has performed for us over the three years we have been doing these concerts!

The professionalism, enthusiasm, talent and credentials should have been enough to speak for these amazing musicians but to hear them play was pure heaven! I would hate to venture the combined ages of these gentlemen as I am sure we would be in some very high numbers, but their age was far outweighed by their talent.

The audience was “blown away” by the great music we heard on that Sunday afternoon. The quality of music was beyond our wildest expectations and the toe tapping and applause was proof that the audience was enthralled. As a great fan of big band music I felt I was in the presence of the “greats” as indeed I was.

We have received many requests for this group to appear during our concert series next year and, although we do not normally repeat a group, in this case we are ready to make an exception. Please save us a Sunday afternoon next year that we may again take the “stairway to heaven” with these wonderful musicians.

Respectfully,