JOHNNY VANA
JOHNNY VANA
(Leader/Percussionist)
Born
and
raised in Omaha,
Nebraska, Johnny Vana won his first amateur show playing drums at the
age of 2½. He later sat in with Glenn Miller's Band at
the ripe old age of 4. Johnny studied with Gene Krupa, Bobby
Christian, Roy Knapp and Frankie Rullo. At the age of 12, he
toured with the Horace Heidt Show/Orchestra and was a member of the
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra at age 14.
His credits have only
sky-rocketed since then. He has been featured with the orchestras
of Les and Larry Elgart, Harry James, Sammy Kaye, Richard Maltby, Buddy
Morrow and The Tonight Show Band and has backed numerous musical
artists including: Peggy Lee, The Letterman, Bette Midler, George
Burns, Anita Bryant, The Ink Spots, Jerry Lewis, and many others.
Johnny has also toured and appeared on various television shows,
movies, and commercials including: Life Goes On, For The Boys,
Beaches, Gypsy, All I Want For Christmas and The Wedding Singer.
His amazing talents are demonstrated to the audience by
his exciting solos; but for the musicians it is a matter of that
continual perfect beat which musically holds things together. He
demands the best from himself and inspires the best from every member
of the band by his own fine example.
Check out his website: Johnny Vana's Webpage
At the SWEET & HOT MUSIC FESTIVAL
