By JESSICA BALANZA

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The Keystone Civic Association decided to use its first Jazz Fest to advocate anything dealing with children.

So its Sunset Jazz Fest and Picnic in the Park April 21 at the Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway, will have Sonny LaRosa’s America’s Youngest Jazz Band performing.

Debra Benoit, vice president of the Keystone Civic Association, said she found out about the band while searching online.

The association decided this year it wanted to host an event for the community. It requested a mini grant from the Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations to pay for the event.

“I think this community will thoroughly enjoy the band,” said Benoit, who hopes to make this an annual affair.

The fest will have a stage for the band to perform and attendees are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and blankets to enjoy the music.

The band based in Oldsmar is composed of 22 children ages 4 through 13. LaRosa, a former trumpet player, came up with the idea to offer children an opportunity to be in a formal jazz band about 30 years ago.

“Kids only have marching bands in school, so I thought about offering a jazz band,” said LaRosa.

The band travels around the United States performing at other jazz festivals or at shows with professional musicians.

“They play with world class musicians and it’s great for the kids to hear,” said LaRosa.

The band members have about two to three performances a month. Some of their upcoming performances include a concert with the Florida Orchestra at Raymond James Stadium and the Los Angeles Jazz Institute Swing into Spring Festival in California.

LaRosa said the money the band receives for its performances and through donations pays for its trips.

Currently the band is seeking additional funds to pay for its trip to California. During the Keystone festival, a donation jar will be available at the refreshment booth by the center.

“By our hiring them it’s going to help fund their trip to California,” said Benoit. “We are glad we can help and contribute.”

The band members rehearse at the North Bay Community Church, 3170 McMullen Booth Road, twice a week with LaRosa and are expected to practice everyday on their own.

While it’s a tough schedule to keep, LaRosa said it can be done. Children, he said, should not be intimidated with the music and feel they can’t play jazz.

“I work with them like crazy,” said LaRosa. “It takes time and it doesn’t happen over night. But kids have talent, they don’t know of.”

Many of the children play more than one instrument and sing. The band has saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass guitar and drums.

The performances include singing, solo parts and dancing. Some of the tunes they play are “Stardust,” “Stomping at the Savoy,” and “Bugle Call Rag,” to name a few.

“It’s fun and I like to play jazz,” said Eddie Hernandez, a trumpet player. “With jazz you get more of a feel for it.”

“I have learned a lot from the band and we got to go places we would not have gone otherwise,” said Kyle Hughey, 14.

For information, visit http://www.sonnylarosa.com.

The free jazz festival in Keystone runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 21.