Johnny Vana

 

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Johnny Vana won an amateur show playing drums when he was 2½. He later sat in the Glenn Miller Band when he was 3½. Vana studied with Gene Krupa, Bobby Christian, Roy Knapp and Frankie Rullo. During his high school years he was first percussionist for the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. At the age of 12, he toured with Horace Heidt’s Musical Knights and became a full-time, paid member of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra by time he was 14.

 

HOLLYWOOD'S SWING BAND

Johnny Vana and the Big Band Alumni

To book the band:

Jack Lloyd

818-343-7243

Home   Big Band Alumni   Bill A. Jones    Bonnie Bowden

Vana played professionally until he was old enough to go to college, first to the University of Nebraska and then to the University of Texas where he earned Master of Music Education.

He has accumulated many impressive credits including being 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 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 talents are demonstrated by exciting solos and his dependably perfect beat keeps the rest of the band in sync. He demands the best from himself and inspires the best from every member of the band.