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What
do you get when you start with an expert trumpet
player,
Add
A
dozen or so kids with unbelievable talent
And
A
Love for Music?
Simply the Best Jazz and Swing Music you have ever
heard!
Sonny has
been doing this since 1978!!
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Sonny's band is one of the most unique and professionally sounding
SWING and JAZZ bands of its kind in the world. Not only did they
recently win a gold medal at the International Music Festival, they
were also the youngest jazz band ever to be invited to perform at
the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
The 23 piece band of 4 to 13 year olds contains full Sax, Brass, and
Rhythm sections with vocalists reminiscent of the Big Band Era.
Special arrangements for the youngsters are done by Sonny LaRosa.
The Band is seeking further national and world attention to
encourage all children of this age group to get involved in jazz
music.
A short list of just some of their appearances:
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Clearwater Jazz Holiday |
1983 |
| Suncoast
Dixieland Jazz Classic |
Every Year since 1990! |
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Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland |
1995 |
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Montreux Meet Brienz Jazz Festival |
1995 |
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International Music Festival (Gold Medal Winners), New Orleans |
1998 |
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Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival, World Trade Center, New York City |
1999 |
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Swing N' Dixie Jazz Jamboree, Sun Valley, ID |
1999 |
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March Of Jazz Festival, Clearwater, FL |
2002 |
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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival |
2002 |
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Preservation Hall, New Orleans (Youngest players ever to play
there) |
2002 |
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Syracuse Jazz Festival, New York |
2003 |
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Cocoa Beach Jazz Festival, FL |
2004 |
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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival |
2004 |
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Creole Queen Riverboat, New Orleans |
2004 |
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Texas
Jazz Festival, Corpus Christi, TX |
2005 |
| Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, Los Angeles, CA |
2006 |
| Los Angeles Institute of Jazz "Big Band Festival" |
2007 |
| Montreal Jazz Festival - Montreal, Canada |
2009 |
| Texas Jazz (50th anniversary) Festival Celebration, Corpus
Christie |
2010 |
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Gary Bookout / STUDIO 7 PRODUCTIONS |
Gary Bookout / STUDIO 7 PRODUCTIONS |
Gary Bookout / STUDIO 7 PRODUCTIONS |
"Sonny LaRosa should be given the Medal of
Freedom for the work he is doing with what must be
the youngest jazz musicians in the world. Not only
has he taught them each on their own instruments,
but he has molded them into a truly remarkable unit.
When you see the pride which is reflected in these
youngsters' faces and the way they stand tall and
ready to strut their stuff, you will know why I give
Sonny so much credit for what he has done with these
budding musicians. This gives you hope for the
future of culture and the arts in this country."
Dave Leibman,
legendary saxophonist who
played in the Mile Davis group and toured
with Chick Corea; and founder of the
International Association for
Jazz Schools in Europe.
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In 1995 the band was invited to play at the World Famous
Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland
"Sonny, thank you for helping
to make our 29th annual Montreux Jazz Festival such a
great success! Congratulations on the outstanding
performance by your America's Youngest Jazz Band."
Reinier W. Van Hoorn
Coordinator Jazz Bands
Montreux,
Switzerland
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"An experience
and surprise I expect never to forget was hearing America's
Youngest Jazz Band created and directed by Sonny LaRosa. These
youngster's first number "Bugle Call Rag" jolted me out of my
misconceptions. They had the impact of the 1950's Basie Band.
They not only knew how to swing collectively but the soloists
could tell a story! Sonny LaRosa should be a model for many
educators throughout the World."
Net Hentoff
World Famous Jazz Journalist and Author
Wall
Street Journal
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If you are
interested in joining the Band, are a past member, wish to schedule a concert or
purchase CD's or DVD's
contact Sonny Larosa.
Very special thanks to
Bayside Community
Church for providing practice space and support for the band
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