Testimonials

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                                                                                                         July 29, 2010

"The significant efforts between Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace have resulted in enormous benefits to organizations, groups, and charities all over the world.

Ralph Becker - Mayor - Salt lake City, Utah                                                    (click here to see letter)

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Received: May 10, 2010

Hi Debra,

You and John have been fantastic.

The concert was a hit and EVERYBODY there LOVED it!

Rick DellaRatta was AMAZING!

I got a call from some Indian nonprofit org. today asking me what I thought about my experience with Jazz for Peace and would I recommend it to them?
I told her, YES!

Peace,
 
Alan CK Sweet - Founder  - "I AM" Workshop Tour

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Received:  April 2, 2010

Hi Rick,

I am taking this opportunity to thank you for believing so much in our mission that you came all the way to Maryland last March 12th to support Aumazo. I am equally grateful to you for  putting our Aumazo on the map of deserving organizations. Based on the feedback, all my guests were delighted with the show and many are looking forward to another opportunity.

I believe that it was just the beginning. Thank you for choosing to be part of our journey. I look forward to another opportunity that you will present to Aumazo.

Again thank you for believing in my work.

Best regards,

Jacqueline T. Audige M.A
Founder & CEO - Aumazo, Inc. -  www.aumazo.org

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Received: 3/29/2010  

Hi Deb,

The music was great...... I can really see Rick and the WSA doing something again in the  future........hopefully this was just the beginning of a WSA/Jazz for Peace relationship.

Allison K. Lyon

Williams Syndrome Association

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Received March 26, 2010

Dear Rick,

I thoroughly enjoyed your music. Absolutely great.

It was very good of you to come to Washington to help Aumazo with the fundraiser.

With the help of my friend at the National Press Club, I will definitely be working on a fund-raiser for later this year.

Will be in touch.

Cheers,

William

William H. Dent Jr.
Executive Director - Natural Partners. Washington, DC

 

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Received: Monday March 8, 2010

Hi Deb,

The event went really well! Everything was just great. Thanks so much for your help in putting this together.

 

 

Katie Puzauskas

Arizona Justice Project

Click here to to view flyer for the event

Click here to see letter

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February  8, 2010

 

The directors and volunteers of Global Community Engagement would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us at Jazz for Peace.  It was a beautiful sunny Florida day, the music was fantastic and we feel everyone enjoyed themselves greatly.

http://www.joingce.org
 

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Received: January 29, 2010

Hi Deb,

I agree that publicity and money is exactly what small grass-roots organizations need......I contacted 3 grass-roots orgs that have received the Jazz for Peace grant.......All of the people could not stop talking about how nice everyone was, how great it was to work with you guys, and how amazing Rick's show was!!  

Annie Elble, PhD MPH

Saving Orphans through Healthcare and Outreach (www.savingorphans.com)

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Received: Jan. 19, 2010

 

Hi Deb! 
 

I'm sure you heard from Rick and Timothy that everything went very well. The concerts were terrific (of course!) and the art show looked wonderful. 
 

Rick announced that he's doing a NY concert for Haiti. I got a lot of interest from the audiences. We'd love to host it if it works with everyone's schedule. 

The Sickle Cell Network folks were terrific. They brought in quite a few people and I'm giving them an information table at a program I'm doing on Harlem in late February. I'm sending LOTS of positive energy your way.              

            

Best, 
Kathleen

Kathleen M. O'Connor - New-York Historical Society - 170 Central Park West New York NY 10024

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Received: November  7, 2009

“Original plans for a Jazz for Peace concert featuring Jazz Pianist and Vocalist Rick DellaRatta mushroomed into something much more….a way to connect personal, community and global issues.”

Susan Marteney – Executive Director, Auburn Chapter – American Red Cross

 

“Our goal in partnering with Jazz for Peace is to provide an opportunity for the community to experience world-class music, while raising much needed funds to make sure that the Red Cross can continue to provide emergency assistance to victims of disaster, train the community in life savings skills and collect blood, “

 Tom Filiak, Chairman of the Board of Directors – American Red Cross

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Received: Oct. 26, 2009

Dear Rick,

Congratulations.  You've really made an incredible marriage between performing jazz artists, new audiences and a good "cause".

Joan Athey - Peaceworks Now Productions

Victoria, B.C.  Canada

 

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Received: October 16, 2009
 

 

A luta pela Paz no mundo tem várias formas, cores e sons. O símbolo da Paz é a pomba, a cor é o azul celestial das Nações Unidas, e o som é o que Rick DellaRatta vem oferecendo ao mundo em suas centenas de apresentações do Jazz for Peace. Os reflexos desse maravilhoso trabalho ecoam por toda parte, e reverbarão por décadas à frente. Toque mais uma vez Rick.

 

The struggle for world peace has many shapes, colors and sounds. The symbol for peace is the dove, the color is the celestial blue of the United Nations, and the sound is the one that Rick DellaRatta has been

offering to the world in his hundreds of presentations. The reflections of this wonderful effort have been echoing everywhere, and will last for decades ahead. Play it again Rick!

 

Prof. Marcos Cintra

 

Labor Secretary for São Paulo, Brazil

 

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 Received: Thursday, October 01, 2009
 To: Jazz for Peace
 Subject: an AMAZING VENUE!

 Thank you very much for contacting me......we had a very nice talk 
 with Rick, and I was surprised to learn about all the possibilities you 
 offer.

Thank you again, for all your efforts to help non-profits to achieve
their goals!
 

all the best
Karen
www.naregatsi.org

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Received: Monday, September 28, 2009

Dear Debra,

What wonderful news you send us at this time. I commend Rick, John & you on a job well done!

We love the attachment's you've sent us - it is always a great thing to see that there are good people in the world. Many thanks for all of your efforts in helping us for at this time we need it so desperately - our coffers are all but empty as well as our personal assets in our attempts to keep on doing what we believe in.

Many Thanks.

Howard L Johnson - Founder & Director Rockforyouth .com    

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Received: Sept. 14th, 2009 

Hi Deb,

Many thanks for a great concert on September 11! ………..those who attended are still calling me to talk about how much they enjoyed it.  My board treasurer just called to say they wished they had brought their 2 year old ---as they were loving the music so much. 
 

………this was the first event of this nature we've ever done, so hope to put the learning to good use and create an annual event.  Neighbors visited with me yesterday and talked about how interesting and great it was…….…such a great performance. 

We sure hope Jazz for Peace had a positive experience as well.  Next time Rick is in Montana, time for a visit to Yellowstone or Glacier Parks is a MUST! 

Talk to you soon,
Linda

Linda Henry- Project Director - Community Housing Resource Board
wwww.billingschrb.org

 

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Received: Monday, June 22, 2009 4:21 PM

Rick --

Thank you for the great show you put on Saturday evening!  Everyone there had a great time and were very impressed with you and what you are doing…..

We are so glad you had a chance to see our neighborhoods, meet some of our youth and older folks we work with, and get to know us a little better.  We would love to grow this event into something much bigger and look forward to working with you on that.    

We hope you enjoyed your time in Cincinnati as much as we enjoyed having you here! 

Thanks again!
Marilyn and DeNeisha

Communities United For Action - Cincinnati, Ohio            
www.cufacincy.org

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Received: June 22, 2009

Deb,

 

I just wanted to say Thank You for all your help with our event last Saturday.  Our folks had a great time -- everyone wanted to know when Rick will be back to do another show.  

 

What is Rick's e-mail address?  Marilyn and I want to thank him for the great show.

 

Thanks again!

 

DeNeisha Calvert
Communities United For Action
www.cufacincy.org

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Received: June 1, 2009

Hi Deborah and Rick,

I enjoyed working with Rick on the Jazz For Peace benefit at Nighttown this past Saturday.  I appreciate that you chose our venue for the show. The show went off fine, and I appreciate how hard Rick is working and admire his commitment to supporting social causes. 

I applaud both of you for what you are doing.  Keep up the good work! 

Please let me know if Rick is traveling out this way again. 

all the best,

Jim

Jim Wadsworth Productions (JWP) - Cleveland, Ohio   
www.jwpjazz.com

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Received: June 1, 2009

Dear Rick and Debra, It was a pleasure to work with you all. I hope you will come back soon to play, and also tell the story about Africa.   

Thanks,

Roy King - Cleveland, Ohio

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Received: May 27, 2009 From Kigali, Rwanda in Africa

Hi Deb,

The shows were great. (and) the people who were there had a super time.  All the music was great, and JFP did a jam session with the local band, HolyJah Doves. 

The groups decided to jam impromptu, and everyone loved it!....it showed the cultures coming together, being harmonious, and uniting! Which everyone enjoyed. 

The 2nd night, for the VIP dinner, the room was booked solid.  The hotel had to set up extra tables as people waited...so that was again really great!

Thx,

Mark

Ministry of Sports - Kigali, Rwanda

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Received: May 14, 2009

Rick,

 

Thank you for performing in Columbus on behalf of Columbus Collegiate Academy! 

 

We enjoyed your beautiful music and think Jazz for Peace is doing great things.  We are honored to have been part of it.

 

Jackie Messinger, Chair

Andrew Boy, Founder

Columbus Collegiate Academy 

 

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Received: Mon. April 27, 2009

 

Hi Deb,

 

The event went really well.  Rick and the rest of the band were awesome...... (and) generated quite a buzz among the school choice movement here in Ohio. 

 

Andy

Columbus Collegiate  Academy  ~  www.co\umbuscollegiate.org

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Received: Sat, March 28th, 2009 from Miami, Fla.

Dear Rick:
I loved your music last night beyond words.

Thank you for that performance.

I was trying to capture a voicing or two but it was too difficult to concentrate on the technique while being captured by the beautiful music.

ken
www.FloridaBackline.com
 

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Received : Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Hello Tim and Debbie and Rick!!

I'd like to say a big heartfelt thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Jazz for Peace benefit concert event this past Sunday!!!  It was truly an honor!!  I really enjoyed the music, the other artists, and the energy of art and jazz supporters swirling around!!!  Bravo on your mission, efforts and collaborative spirit in bringing people together to promote awareness for jazz and its connections to other arts and beauty of life!!

……..I look forward to an ongoing partnership with you and Jazz for Peace!!! I will continue to pass along the JFP website and mission to build awareness.

Best and warmest wishes!
Heidi
http://heidi-russell.parosweb.com

 

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Received: Dec. 15, 2008

Greetings Deb,

I would like to take this moment to thank you Deb for your support in assisting us raise funds through a concert with Rick last Friday. It was a very beautiful event and Rick was excellent……

On behalf of our organization Deb, I want to thank you most sincerely for taking the time to work with us and as we told Rick, we have become life partners with the Jazz for peace organization. We personally let him know how dear you have been to us and asked him to pass our sincere gratitude to you. 

Thanks Deb, and talk soon,

Ralph

Kenyan Americans Community Organization  -  www.kacoinc.org  

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Received: 10/28/2008

Dear Jazz for Peace,

I saw Rick's performance in Providence this past Friday and my wife and I really enjoyed the show.

In talking with Communities for People (the beneficiary) I had told them that we would consider partnering with them next year….This is how much I believe in the work of CFP - and Jazz for Peace.

That is one thing I wanted to mention.

The query regards the sale of CDs. Do you have any signed copies, particularly the "Jazz for Peace" and "Christmas" CDs. The rendition of Little Drummer Boy was solid and I loved the Cheeks song.

Keep up the great work!  I hope to hear from you soon.

 - Jim

James R. Harris Jr, Ph.D.
RICORP -  www.ricorp.net

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Received: 10/27/2008

Hi Deb,
Just wanted to say thanks again for your help in what was a really lovely event. Everyone was inspired and moved, and loved the music. You all are doing such a great thing with Jazz for Peace.

I also wanted to send a very special thank you to Rick……….

Rick – Thank you for the very great concert in Boulder for RESULTS………as a messenger of wonder and an architect of peace……..thank you for all that you give to the world.

Hope you all are well and look forward to connecting in the future.
Love,
Gwen
--
Gwen Garcelon - Grassroots Fundraising Manager
RESULTS - http://www.results.org    Carbondale, CO

 

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Received: Aug. 19, 2008

Hi Deb,

Our audience was high quality and included a few councilmen…….people loved Rick's music and wondered when he was coming back……thanks to JFP for helping the organization create greater awareness. 

Leroy Greene – Habitat for Humanity

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Received August 19, 2008

Voicemail testimonial from 8/16/08 in Ogden,  Utah

Benefit Concert for Habitat for Humanity

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Received: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

We did have a great time.  It was so helpful to have actually done the event. I get it now and we are anxious to do another event…… there is some talk of making this an annual event, perhaps in late spring.

Thanks for all of your help and it was fun to meet Rick!

I’ll be in touch soon to discuss a repeat.

Anne-Marie Hendrickson - Director of Marketing

Compatible Technology International  -  www.compatibletechnology.org

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Received:  July 29, 2008

Hi Deb,

I had a great time working with you and meeting you.

Thank you for all your help! We will definitely do it again!

-Toni ~  Connextions, Inc

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July 26, 2008

“I want to congratulate Rick and Jazz for Peace on everything they have accomplished to this point, and all the good they are sure to bring about as they continue this concert series…and its mission of challenging humanity to realize that the forces that unite us are far stronger than the forces that divide us.”

Sincerely,

Barack Obama                                                       (Click here for full letter)

 

 

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Received: Wed. July, 16, 2008

Dear Deb, Rick and all,

It was a pleasure working with you.

Many Regards,

Jim Remsen ~ Darfur Alert Coalition

Philadelphia, PA

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May 16, 2008

Dear Debra, Rick and all who were involved,

We all thank you for the wonderful job you did. Debra all your help was so greatly appreciated, it definitely was a pleasure meeting all of you.

Thanks again and God bless all the great work you do!

In Love and Light
Wild for Life, Inc.
Kathleen - Million Mothers Movement

 

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Fri. May 9, 2008

Deb,
Yes.....we were quite happy with the benefit concert...... we would like to talk....about next year and another concert.  .

Mary Beth Bryman
Wild for Life, Inc.
A Non-Profit 501(c)3 Organization
www.wildforlife.org

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(Click here to see full letter)

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Received: 2/11/2008

Deb,

Everyone was pleased with the event! 

We want to establish a date for next year about the same time....we are thinking February 7, 2009.  Please advise if that date is available.

Michael R. Estep

Developing Potential, Inc.

Kansas City, MO

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Received: 11/20/2007

Hi Deb,

Thank you for a great Jazz concert!

 We received many positive comments about the Jazz music…………….and we hope to do this again next year.

Thank you for all your hard work and talent in making our fundraiser a success!
Sincerely,

Alexis Taylor Litos
Executive Director
The Barnaba Institute

www.barnabainstitute.org

I can't thank you both enough for all your work and making Jazz for Civil Liberties a success.  The music was amazing and working out the details with Deb was a joy.  Your hard work benefited us financially as well as with publicity.  Your organization is outstanding and a sparkling example of activism through music.

Thanks!

Andy

ACLU of AZ - www.acluaz.org

Wujing Harrison - The Zigen Fund

May 9, 2005

May 2, 2005

Thank you so much for putting this on for us.  We really appreciate it.  A lot came out of the event for us.  We have increased our support simply by way of your wonderful show!  

Thank you and looking forward to meeting you again.

(click here to see actual letter)

Kay Brady

Animal Guardians

Dallas, Texas

April  8, 2005

Thank you for such an amazing concert last night.  People have been singing your praises this entire morning!

Thanks again,

Jacqueline Finn, MPH
Program Development
Cabrini Hospice

April 2, 2005

Dear Rick,

We were so delighted with the music and your presence - it was a great event.

Thanks so much for all you do in the world.

I've discussed with Maria the possibility of you doing a concert in Moscow.

She is excited to have you come.................as the kids would be so thrilled to be in your music and watch and grow with it.

Let me know what you think.

Warm Regards,

Jan Adams

Maria's Children International

Shakopee, Minnesota

  "The music was great!"

Ryan Case - Director

Water Stewards Network

From: Noam Chomsky

To: Jazz for Peace

Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:47 PM

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

"Most interested to hear about what you are doing............And this aspect of life and culture particularly................... I greatly admire those who contribute to it................"

Noam Chomsky

Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 4:58 PM

Subject: Jazz for Peace

Dear Mr. DellaRatta,

I am excited about the concert you are offering to our organization, because (1) of the benefits to us,  (2) of the wonderful musical opportunity we can all enjoy and (3) of the ability to do something more for peace in a troubled world.  Those of us involved with School Supplies for Afghanistan want to see peace in the world, probably more than anything because it's related to every other problem that exists.  What a wonderful way to promote peace - through a musical program!  Thank you for giving us this opportunity to enjoy and from which to benefit.

I look forward to meeting you and attending the concert.  I wish our jazz musician son, who is now back in school in Ithaca, could fly down to enjoy it too, but I don't think that his schedule will allow it. 

Jan Holloway

Secretary

School Supplies for Afghanistan, Inc.

"Terrorism grows in the Garden of Despair. Help us to plant Hope through Education for the Children of Afghanistan."

Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 10:52 AM

Subject: Thanks for your commitment to support Afghan Children

 
 
Dear Mr Rick DellaRatta
The founder of Jazz for Peace,
 
Thank you so much for providing a wonderful opportunity for our partner Organization School Supplies for Afghanistan (SSA) to promote education of Afghan Children.
SSA and HASCO together providing educational opportunity for Afghan Children.
 
 Mahatma Gandhi Indian great philosophy of non-violent action long years ago said: (If we are to teach real Peace in this world, and carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children)
 
Yes children are our future any investments on children are investment on our future, we believe supporting Afghanistan children mean supporting peace and stability in the world, as you knew we all paid very high price for forgetting Afghanistan and leaving that country to the hands of Al-Qiada / Taliban extremists group and you as a resident of New York City may saw the September 11 tragedy live by your own ayes.

We believe that peace is possible in this world only with our unity and strong commitment, fortunately today not only ordinary people but also prominent figures and personalities from all corner of life from art to sport and music actively supporting world peace movement, 
 
Dear Mr DellaRatta The activities of Jazz for Peace during last two years once again show your strong commitment to the peace and we appreciate it greatly your commitment and dedicated efforts to promote peace in the world.

Once again thank you for your commitment to provide jazz benefit concerts for School Supplies for Afghanistan.
 
 With best regards
 H.Khaled
 Director
 Help Afghan School Children Org (HASCO)

January 2005

Rick,

Don't know if you'll remember, but my husband and I were the couple who sat in front of the saxes on that snowy night at the Zeitgeist. We loved the music. We felt we were having a private audience with you and your band, all of whom were superb. We particularly enjoyed your original compositions, and the different take on If I Only Had a Brain. We would have stayed afterward to talk with you, but we needed to walk home in that blizzard.

Thanks for a wonderful night of jazz. We'll be looking for your next gig
in Cambridge. Hopefully, the weather will be better.
Best,

Martha Osler
Director of Volunteer Recruitment

December 2004

August 17, 2004

Click here to see the Dreams Can Be Testimonial

July 28, 2004

Hello,

Writing to let you know how very much I enjoyed the Jazz for Peace concert for GREY2KUSA in Cambridge recently. There is so much talent there!

Sincerely, Diana Cartier (Newton, MA)

July 26, 2004

Subject: Congratulations from September's Mission

Hello Rick,

I hope this e-mail finds you in good health. We wanted to congratulate you on behalf of September’s Mission for all your hard work and dedication to Jazz music. You are a wonderful person and a great jazz singer. Congratulations!

Sincerely,

September’s Mission Staff

3/06/2004

Hi Rick and Deb and all;

Thanks very much for the concert last Saturday. I worked hard to try to get a crowd there and though we had an intimate group we nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed the show. The music was every bit as outstanding as your web site says and Rick's voice thoroughly mesmerized everyone. Thanks very much for all you do for all of the agencies you perform the benefits for, and especially for thinking of us. Feel free to let any 9/11 families who might want a quilt know about us. Fondly, Jane Jackson United We Quilt

2/19/2004

Dear Rick and Debbie,

Thank you so much for your assistance and the wonderful event held for GOLES this weekend. We really had a good time and the music was perfect. Again, Thank you so much. It was great. Margaret Hughes GOLES

02/08/2004

Dear Rick;

We are still floating from the wonderful afterglow of your February 7 jazz for peace concert. The house was packed and every head was bobbing to the infectious beats of your quintet along with every foot tapping. My guests went home happy and fulfilled. Thanks so much. We look foward to other even bigger events. Your idealistic message of hope and artistry must go foward. Count on the Counseling Service of EDNY to help you to carry that message. Paul Ruchames,Executive Director, Counseling Service of EDNY

11/16/2003

I wanted to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to show during your amazing concert!  Fantastic!!!  Thank you so very much for allowing me the opportunity to hear your music!  Amazing!  I loved the Brazilian tune in the first set where the precussionist and yourself were featured!

Thank you again for this opportunity,

-steve barker

11/04/2003

Hi Rick,

Great show! You and your group played excellent on Saturday night. I found both your talent and skills and style of play very refreshing. It was much more direct and lively than I am used to seeing jazz played. And to me you really captured the way and
spirit of jazz and how it is really supposed to be played. At least for me.

Thanks again for the opportunity to exhibit my artwork to your audience and participate in the program. All my friends really enjoyed themselves and I was very happy to see the positive response my work received.

A lot of what I believe you are doing coincides with my own vision of trying to develop a more powerful role and place for visual art in our culture for a better world and at the same time developing an audience, market and opportunity for artists, poets, musicians to tap into to develop their work along
these same lines.

I would love to work further with you and your efforts.

Best,
Chris Nowlan

10/27/03

Rick!

Thank you for your support at our Voices Benefit on October 17, 2003. Jazz for Peace was awesome! Please share my sentiments with Stacy, Peter and Andrew.

Peace & Prosperity,

Cidra
Brotherhood Sister Sol

November 24, 2003