The

Sonny Award

Recognizing Support for America’s Youth

Keeping Jazz Alive

Sonny LaRosa

The Sonny Award was created in 2011 to honor Sonny LaRosa for his tireless efforts to keep jazz alive through musical training and performance. For three decades, Sonny LaRosa’s “World’s Youngest Jazz Band” has inspired and entertained both young and old, on both local and international stages.


Many of the students who have come through his program have continued their training through college and have become respected artists in their own right. They continue his legacy by training the next generation of jazz musicians.

Celebrating more than 25 years of youth performances at the Suncoast Jazz Festival and a lifetime of making music and helping kids.

Past Honorees

  • 2011 Sonny LaRosa

  • 2012 Dwayne White

  • 2013 Frank Williams

  • 2014 John Lamb

  • 2015 Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society

  • 2016 Chris DeLeon, Tarpon Springs High School Music Director

  • 2017 (no award)

  • 2018 Dave “Wally” Tatrow

  • 2019 Wycliffe Gordon

  • 2021 La Lucha

  • 2023 Paul O'Connor (d. 2015)

  • 2024 Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association

Get Involved

You can sponsor the Sonny Award and help keep youth engaged and jazz alive and well.

For more details about sponsoring the Sonny Award, contact our Sponsorship Representative.