Jazz Legend Sonny LaRosa Recognized By Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor is filled with many talented writers, artists and singers, and most of them tend to remain out of the spotlight.

One entertainer who fits that mold is longtime jazz legend Sonny LaRosa.

Although he is recognized as one of the true greats in his field - one writer places him in the same category as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins - and has dedicated the last 35 years of his life to training kids to play music, LaRosa has remained under the radar since moving to Safety Harbor more than thirty years ago.

But on Monday night, city officials honored this true legend of the arts with a proclamation naming July 15, 2013 as Sonny LaRosa Day in Safety Harbor.

"For over 35 years, Sonny LaRosa has given his heart, soul and time to his music to hundreds of kids," Mayor Joe Ayoub read. "On November 19, 2011, the Dixieland Jazz Classic organization introduced a new award, the Sonny. Sonny LaRosa was the first recipient."

"Now, therefore I, Joe Ayoub, the Mayor of the City of Safety Harbor, Florida, do hereby proclaim July 15, 2013 as Sonny LaRosa Day in the City of Safety Harbor, Florida."

LaRosa, 87, was humbled by the honor, but he still retained his sense of humor while accepting the proclamation.

"Of course it's all lies," he joked after the mayor finished praising him.

"I've lived in the same house here in Safety Harbor for the last 35 years, and I love what I do," he added. "How can I just stop? It's a ball."