Testimonials
"The significant efforts between Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace
have resulted in enormous benefits to organizations, groups, and charities all over the world.Salt Lake City celebrates and applauds Jazz for Peace and their principal mission of exposing Americans to an often underappreciated art form. Bringing music and jazz education back into schools and donating musical instruments to underprivileged children are noble and important endeavors for the progress and influence of the arts."
Ralph Becker - Mayor - Salt lake City, Utah
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
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
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
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
Received: Monday March 8, 2010
The event went really well! Everything was just great. Thanks so much for your help in putting this together.
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.
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)
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
Kathleen
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
Received: Oct. 26, 2009
Dear Rick,
Congratulations. You've really made an incredible marriage between performing jazz artists, new audiences and a good "cause".
Received: October 16, 2009
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
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
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
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
Received: June 22, 2009
Deb,
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
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
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
Received: May 14, 2009
Rick,
Received: Mon. April 27, 2009
Columbus Collegiate Academy ~ www.co\umbuscollegiate.org
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
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
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
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
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
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
Received August 19, 2008
Voicemail testimonial from 8/16/08 in Ogden, Utah
Benefit Concert for Habitat for Humanity
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.
Compatible Technology International - www.compatibletechnology.org
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
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)
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
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
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
(Click here to see full letter)
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
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
Received: 11/15/2007
Rick and Deb,
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
Received: 10/23/2007
Dear Debra and team,
…this year being the 10th year anniversary of Rick DellaRatta’s award winning double CD “Live In Brazil and The Blue Note” as well as the 5th year anniversary of his famous concert at the United Nations…..It is really rewarding knowing that celebrities like Rick DellaRatta are taking (an) active role in worthwhile causes and in mobilizing ordinary people in support of important causes.
Together, we can make a difference in our world and in our less privileged lives.
Prof. Benedito Guarilia Filho
www.congressobebedouro.com.br
Received: Wed. Oct. 11th, 2007
Everyone loved the evening, the venue the food, and most of all the music.
They are much more motivated for next time, as are my regional director and the director from MA. Next year I hope to have…corporate support and I think I can count on more help from those who attended….we…. anticipate doubling our numbers…..
Please extend our appreciation to Rick and……to the two guys who
sat in - it was so enjoyable to watch them follow Rick's lead.
Thanks again,
Nanette -
Providence, RI
Received: Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Dear Deb:
My friends, the Rubins,…gave me a report on the event. They enjoyed it thoroughly…., and I can't tell you how honored I am by the award of the Jazz for Peace prize, which now stands in a special place in my study. My wife and I are listening to the CD, which is quite wonderful.
Thank you for everything, and good luck to Jazz for Peace and its work.
Howard Zinn
(Award winning Historian, Playwright and Author of A People's History of the United States )
Received: Tues. October 9th, 2007
Hello Debra,
Thanks for such a nice event last Sunday. It was a unique experience for many and with Rick's help we'll hopefully make it even bigger next year.
Thank you and I look forward to working with you on our next fundraiser.
Received: October 4, 2007
Hi Rick,
The Paige Aimi World Peace Foundation
Received:
Sept. 20, 2007
With the presence of over 5,000 people,… we have had a wonderful
event and plans have already started for next year’s Brazil Day.
A
special day like that, in the park, would not have been possible if
it was not for the help, assistance and support of people like you!
Again, my most sincere thanks for your participation and contagious
enthusiasm!
Dirci Borelli Marquart
Frederick Sister Cities Association
Received: Sept. 19, 2007
Hi Deb,
The concert did go very well. Thank you for all your
help………….. Everyone had such a nice time. We would definitely
like to have another even more successful concert next year!
Best,
Erica
Received: Sept. 17, 2007
Received: 6/18/2007
Received: 6/18/2007
The concert on Saturday was absolutely awesome!
.........overall it was a great turnout!.......................Everyone loved Rick and can't wait to hear him again!
Thanks again
Janice G. Pettigrew
Atlanta, GA
Received: May 5th, 2007
Rick,
Thank you for the work you do to increase music recognition as well as help non-profits such as ourselves.
Tracy and Bret - Co-Directors
Thank you for bringing awareness to our cause and giving a voice to the birds!
Michele
Thank you so much for helping the birds! It means so much to us.........
Kris
Pampered Parrots Avian Rescue ~ Spokane, WA
www.pamperedparrots.org
Received: May 3rd, 2007
Deb,
Once again thank you, thank you, thank you, and more of the same to
Rick for a great concert fundraiser!
Francene
Brown - PHMC
www.jghouse.org/
Received: 5/1/2007
Dear Deb,
Rick & the band were terrific Saturday
night, and the event was very enjoyable for everyone.
We had some terrific food and drinks, and
the silent auction was fairly successful as well.
Attached is….list of… attendees
(including) a Palestinian minister visiting from
Thank you,
Anne
www.jumpstartinternational.org
Received: 4/3/2007
Hi
Deb,
We too enjoyed the event. Rick is a real professional, as
well as a tremendous artist! We would love to schedule another event
here at the "Vibe"......
I look forward to hearing from
you,
Nathan
Positive Vibration Wine/Jazz Bar
Ann Arbor, MI
Received: Monday, April 02, 2007 11:36 AM
Hi, Rick!
Again. . . it was great to see and hear you in Schenectady. Your talent and passion for simultaneously making great music and doing real good in the world are truly inspiring to me.
You inspired my kids, too. Jared said he really liked your keyboard playing. This morning he was improvising on the piano…..-- and I heard many big band chords followed by lively riffs in the treble. Something new for him!
And this is extra-amazing to me: I bought Samahria beginning piano books months ago, but she has not been interested in them or piano lessons. After your concert, I asked her if she wanted her first piano lesson, a question I ask her every couple weeks. And this time she said "yes!" And she was great! She has really steady rhythm and a great touch! I can't help wondering if hearing great keyboard music all day long yesterday somehow nudged her toward the piano.
Peace, love, and all good things,
Laura Bulatao
Received: Monday, March 19, 2007
Dear Rick, Deborah, and Jazz For
Peace;
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful concert on
Saturday!!! We all had a fantastic time! We definitely want to
do this again next year... Thanks again!
Kevin
Berg
The Access Life Program
Received: Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Before Rick DellaRatta and Jazz For Peace I did not care for Jazz! Definitely not my thing! After hearing them in concert, I have decided to give Jazz a chance. Rick's music (lyrics) along with the Jazz for Peace band was soothing and romantic!
Administrative Assistant
First Home Alliance, Inc.
Received: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
I wanted to contact you and let you know that you are doing a wonderful thing. I truly respect and appreciate all the work you have done and continue to do, for the community at large.
I'm in the Army and when I get out I will be available to volunteer some of my time to help you expand your vision.
Mario D. Murray
United States Army
Received:
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I love your music……………Not only do I love your
music, I like the UN work you've done & the Jazz for Peace name
& mission.
Sylvia Lowe
www.chineseculturalgarden.org
Received:
Friday, December 08,
2006 1:51 PM
Deb,
The night was fantastic--the band was great. Rick was really nice and accommodating to…..crowd's requests for songs, people going up for autographs…………..
Thought you'd want to know.
Thanks,
Joy
North West Family Life
Received: 11/7/2006
Hi Deb,
The evening was great......The
response was great.......and there's already interest in doing more!
........I'd love to strategize ways to bring in new audiences.......brainstorming for next time.
Thanks again for this
opportunity.
Best,
Sasha
Corita Art Center
Received: 11/07/2006
Dear Deb,
Thank you.............I appreciate you and your colleagues for
your incredible work!.......and I am always happy to talk about Jazz for
Peace when people ask about the events.........
jing
Wujing Harrison -
The Zigen FundReceived: Mon, November 6th, 2006
Hello Deb,
I wanted to thank you and everyone at JfP for
bringing this concert to CDD. We had a wonderful time. I very much enjoyed
meeting Rick and his band and was very impressed with his music. I am a
major jazz fan and so this was a treat......Please let Rick know how much
we all enjoyed the experience. His work with non-profits is inspiring.
Thanks,
Kathleen
Kathleen Patton - CDD
From: "Tabitha M. Charlton"
Date: Wed, November 1, 2006
Hi Deb,
Thank you for
everything! Rick & the band were great!
Everyone who attended had
a fabulous time. .......People loved Rick & Jazz For Peace.
Thank you again,
Tabitha
www.escapefrc.org
Rec'd: September 22, 2006
Dear Ms. Cerritelli:
This is to acknowledge with many thanks the warm hospitality accorded me during my last visit/meeting with you and the founder of Jazz for Peace, the most respected and "honorable Man of God" Mr. Rick DellaRatta. A person who cares for the suffering for others is a man of God and Mr. DellaRatta deserves that honor. It is very rare to find such a humble person like Mr. DellaRatta who dedicates his life to promoting peace and understanding and most importantly to raise awareness and support for the poor/suffering masses, especially in the third world countries, though his Jazz for Peace Charity Concerts. It is my prayer that God in his infinite Mercy will continue to grant Mr. DellaRatta the strength and wisdom to continue with his crusade and good work.
Yours Truly,
Emmanual M.I. Omokha, Sr.
The American Pan-American Relief Agencies, Inc. - New York, NY
www.apara.org
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 2:31 PM
……….Once again, thanks for your good work and Rick's (the whole trio's) wonderful playing.
Rick DellaRatta is so accomplished. It must be a pleasure to work with
him. We appreciate all your help.
Best wishes,
Paul Kunkel - SAFE
www.savingantiquities.orgSent: Sunday, September 17,
2006 9:17 AM
Subject: Thank
you
Deb:
Please extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the rest of Jazz for Peace and Rick for putting on a wonderful concert for SAFE on September 14. It was very special, and everyone had a great time.
The reporter from America Oggi arrived……………..She would like to speak to Rick.
……hope we stay in touch, and have a great rest of the season.
Cindy, on behalf of SAFE.
Received: 9/15/06
Hi
Debra,
I really enjoyed the concert last night, and was impressed
by Rick
DellaRatta's spirit and activism as well as his
talent.
Renee Greene - Continuum Health
Partners
Received: 8/17/06
Dear Friends:
One behalf of the residents of New York City, I commend Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace for organizing this wonderful event. Since its inception in 2002, the Jazz for Peace concert series has raised funds for more than 250 non-profit organizations............
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg - Mayor
(click here to read full letter)
Received: 8/15/06
From: Minda Cowen - Benefit Concert in Memory of Teresa Michelle Bogstad Fund for the Children's Cancer Foundation.
Hi Rick,
Thanks so much for all you have done in creating (the concert) the other night – it was very special.
I think you are doing a really good thing in doing Jazz for Peace benefit concerts with your talent.
Best Regards,
Minda
PS – “Say You’ll Be Mine” is my favorite.
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 1:06 PM
Hi Debra, Sue, & John;
I want to thank you for all your help, guidance and all your assistance with
the Jazz for Peace Concert at Bellevue.........Thank you for being so
accommodating with your time and being there to answer all our questions and
all the support..........etc....etc.
Thank Rick for me, it was a pleasure meeting him. Rick and his supporting
musicians had knocked themselves out performing this marvelous Concert for
us. Rick, you are one of the rare pianists who makes the piano talk to you
and for you. We feel it out in the audience. Your concert had moved us
all. Thank you very much!!.....THANKS TO YOU ALL !!
Yours truly,
Viola Ong
Issaquah Valley Senior Center - Bellevue, WA
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 7:56 AM
Dear
Rick,
I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Uganda
Rural
Fund team for the wonderful concert of May 05th to benefit
our
programs in Uganda. We deeply appreciate and commend the great
work
you are doing in promoting peace and social justice through
music.
People got to know about us. There were also some people who
read the
article in the local paper and sent in some
donations!
We are considering organizing another benefit for the
fall......We are
thinking of finding a place in Minneapolis to hold the
event. Will your
schedule be open for November or early
December?
Peace,
Br. John Mary Lugemwa, OSB
Director,
Africa AIDS Service-Learning Program
College of St. Benedict/St. John's
University
http://www.csbsju.edu
Executive Officer
Uganda
Rural Fund USA,
Inc.
http://www.ugandaruralcommunitysupport.org
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 8:31 PM
Everyone here
really likes Rick and his performance!
We (Caribbean Global
Missions' team) all see Rick to be a very simple man
with passion to
help people in the best way he could.
Dennis Keshinro - Program
Coordinator
CGM +Belka Enrichment
Center
http://www.caglomissions.org/BEGEN.html
http://www.caglomissions.org
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006
3:34 PM
Dear Rick and the entire band,
Please take this as
a personal and heartfelt thanks for your kind and quick
response and
participation with World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on April 29th.
You
folks are wonderful! We had upwards hundreds of people came through
and
enjoy your artful skills. I have attached the write-up and a
collage of
photos...sorry, can't send too many pictures. The
thanks is expressed in
the write-up and as you see, it turned out
highly successful!
I look forward to our next time that we
shall be together in educating
people to our wonderful art and science
of life-Qi skills!
In Loving Qi and Regards,
Dr. Chow -
Effie
http://www.eastwestqi.com/
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006
Hi Deb,
We had a successful event last night. Everyone enjoyed Rick and the band……….they all enjoyed the evening immensely………….the room was full.
Give Rick my best regards. I enjoyed discussing a variety of issues with this talented and eclectic humanitarian.
Regards,
Gary
Gary Shapiro, Ph.D. -Project
Director/Chairman
Orang Utan Republik Education
Initiative
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006:
……… I am delighted. We made some much needed money……had fun…. And we will be doing more and sweller in coming months!
Of course we have many thanks to give to Deb and Rick at Jazz for Peace, and the fine music and spirit that made the show happen for Pawprints, and the Catalina Bar and Grill……..
All
best to everyone, and heartfelt thanks to all who joined us in support,
and fun,
Ina
Ina Hillebrandt, Founder and Director, Pawprints
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2006
Dear Deb,
Thanks again to you, Rick, and the band for making our Jazz for Peace concert such a fantastic evening…..
Kind Regards,
Nicky Tynan- Water Aide
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:23 PM
I think your music is awesome. I get mesmerized listening to it. I look at jazz in a different light now. It is a coming together type of music eliminating barriers/boundaries.
Diana Morton
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 9:30 AM
Dear Rick,
I just wanted to tell you again how much we enjoyed your music in Norwalk last week. I am still hearing the music in my head and loving every second of it. I can’t believe…what a thrill it was to see you. You are an amazing talent, and I am sure you have heard it many many times, but you really have such a gift. What an amazing bonus that on top of it all, you are fostering these very worthy charities.
I will be sure to check out your schedule and look out for other dates that I can come and enjoy your music again! Maybe I can bring another one of my children in so that they can all have their first live Jazz experience!
Lisa
Breeland
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 3:17 PM
Hi Debra,
Rick and the band were awesome. Everyone had a great time and loved his music. He was a big hit.
Thanks!
Debbie McGarry – Bethany House Services - Cincinnati, OH
On behalf of the children and staff of Yemin Orde Youth Village, I want to thank you for your recent generous donation of ($$$$$$$) to Friends of Yemin Orde form the ":Jazz for Peace concert held on June 15, 2005. Your gif will be used to support the programs and activities of Yemin Orde Youth Village in Isreal.
As the children finish their first month of classes, they can be found studying and relaxing around the Village with .................
(click here to see actual letter)
Sincerely
Susan E. Pollack
Executive Director
Friends of Yemin Orde
September 1, 2005
........Thank you for a lovely evening of Jazz and making a difference in our mission. We hope to have another opportunity to work with you.
(click here to see actual letter)
Sincerely,
Karen J. Miller
Founder & President
Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC)
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 12:06 AM
event next year.
Sincerely,
Mark Bremer
Madrid Music Festivals
Madrid, New Mexico
President
illuminated Access, Inc.
May 9, 2005
On Behalf of the Cardinal Bevilaqua Community Center and Visitation BVM Parish we would like to extend our sincere thanks for your great performance.
We are surprised, thankful and blessed to have such and overwhelming response and an outstanding attendance, and we owe so much of the enthusiasm surrounding this effort to our partnership with you.
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
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."
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
Hi Rick,
Thanks so much
again for all that Jazz for Peace has
done for the SuperSibs! mission.
We are so grateful! I
think the event was successful in raising
awareness,
which will increase future event participation. Tracey
Lazos, the head of the NY chapter of SuperSibs!, may
contact you
to see about how we might collaborate for
a March event.
Take
care!
Heather Sutton - SuperSibs!
December 17, 2003
I just wanted to thank you and
everyone at Jazz for Peace once again for a fantastic evening: Great music
(Bill Evans is my hero), Hip-Hop Dancers dancing to Jazz, our own
Developing Artists singing Holiday tunes...all to benefit a couple of
vital organizations.
Spreading Peace through Jazz and Art
through young adults.
Jinn S. Kim - Managing Director - Developing
Artists
www.developingartists.org