Free Jazz Concert at Largo Cultural Center Celebrates Pinellas Schools' Centennial

Pinellas Schools’ 100^th anniversary celebration continues this weekend with a free jazz concert at on Sunday.

Sonny LaRosa and America’s Youngest Jazz Band will perform music by Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and other jazz kings Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. at the cultural center, 105 Central Park Dr. in Largo.

The county’s centennial celebration honors an era every month from September to June. This month it’s the 1920’s jazz era.

Sonny LaRosa, a Safety Harbor resident, is one of the most unique and youngest swing and jazz bands in Tampa Bay. He’s performed with his band for 34 years.

LaRosa, 85, and his band were awarded a gold medal at the International Music Festival. They were also the youngest jazz band to ever be invited to perform at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

Pinellas County Schools’ students performing with LaRosa are: Madeline Wilks, from Dunedin Highland Middle School, plays saxophone; Parker Adams , from Clearwater High School, plays trumpet; Augustus Deschler , from Dunedin Highland Middle School, plays trumpet; and Noah Gil, Carwise Middle School, plays bass.

To attend the jazz concert, reserve your free tickets by contacting the Largo Cultural Center at (727) 587-6793.