To Sonny LaRosa, one of the finest teachers in the world. Thanks for all you have done for me. I really appreciate it and owe a lot of my success to you. You made me the musician I am today. I will never forget that. I've had the best years of my life being in your band. You have inspired me to play music and I hope you continue to inspire the lives of many others. I wish you the best. God Bless. Love Always, Eric Darius
 

Photo: Gene Morvay

Photo: John Tischner

"For the past 30 years I dedicated most of my time to "Sonny LaRosa and America's Youngest Jazz Band" keeping the art form of Big Band and Swing and Jazz alive with kids ages 6 to 13. It has been an amazingly successful venture, however I felt I was neglecting the real love of my life, "My Trumpet", thus the reason for this album.

As a young man I listened continually to great Pop and Jazz vocalists and tried to emulate their conception especially on a pretty ballad. I knew that the first and most important element was sound, so I spent years attempting to establish a "Fat Dark Tone" and to memorize the lyrics to every song, then pour that with style into my horn.

My son Mark, a Guitarist and Composer in New York, sympathized with my desire to play more often, and suggested that I keep in shape by joining pre-recorded musical backgrounds. His next suggestion was to record so he recommends "Pro Tools" a truly professional device that would be used in conjunction with my computer. The idea frightened me to death since the computer and I were never close friends. It took months and I finally got the basics, but had to pass on some of the goodies like being able to block out and replace any mishap or performance mistake. that is why all of these forgoing tunes were done with one take. This can be considered far below major recording studio procedure, but the one plus it had for me is the tranquility of it all. I recorded at my own leisure, and since they were all Torch Songs I could do it when I was in a melancholy mood, or whenever I felt was the right time.

The next and last portion of the Album is dedicated to all my trumpet students. The Arban trumpet method contained "Keel Row" a short melody with several technical variations that I suggested my students use for any audition. As a student I was always fond of playing duets with my teachers William Vacchiano and Bert Pennino, so I passed it on. I am playing both parts on this Duet demo.

Now comes the time for thanks. First I must thank God for blessing me with the ability to play at all at the age of 82. Thank you Nat Hentoff for your wonderful compliment that gave me the confidence to continue. Heartfelt thank to the musicians and personal friends who cared: Julee Goodman, Mat and Rachel Domber, Terry McClurg, Lane DeGregory, Eric Darius, Paul O'Connor, Bobby Tricarico, Rick Gee, Phillip Booth, Dan and Monique Bradbury, Teddy and Fred Burdick, Blair and Jo Moore, Betty Lou Lewis, Gene Morvay, Dennis Manders, Matty Bonelli, Marci Lee, Chris Halpain, Art Stone, Mike Elias, Aaron Fodiman, Joe Kobus, Rick Smith, Ashley and Brooke Talbot, Rosalie Soladar, John and Cathy Sanford, Frank Malfitano, Ron Odrich, Dave Stewart, and my sisters Terry, Ronnie, and Carol.

My deepest thanks and sympathy goes out to my Family for all the years of listening to me practice and complaining about my incapabilitys. My Wife Elaine of 60 years, my Son Mark, my Daughter-In-law Lorraine, my Daughter Laura-Lee, my Grandchildren Jackson and his wife Cat and Taylor and my recent Great-Grandchild Alice.

In Closing:

Something I could never forget was a musician's remark during an interview of local trumpet players. When my name was mentioned he said negatively "Aw! Sonny makes people cry when he plays". I often wondered if he knew that that was the best compliment I ever received. If I possibly get across an emotional feeling to anyone on any tune on this album then... "Mission Accomplished"

Sonny LaRosa

 

Click Here to hear "Angel Eyes"

"Hey Sonny, your sound is as smooth as silk! What an elegant and beautiful tone you get on your trumpet."
Leroy Jones - outstanding jazz trumpet soloist with Harry Connick

 "Sonny, your sound is absolutely gorgeous."
Dom Minasi - Award winning Guitarist formerly with Buddy Rich

 "Sonny, Your trumpet playing shows that you are the master of the ballad. Your beautiful interpretation of these love tunes equals anything ever played by Ruby Braff - or even sung by Frank Sinatra."
Paul O'Connor - Trombone Legend well known in the big band era and featured with the Charlie Spivak band  

Letter from Sonny's long time friend and agent, Marci Lee