Photo byWes HicksonUnsplash

Florida, the land of sunshine, where oranges grow as big as beach balls and alligators wear sunglasses. It's also the home of the Jazzy Jamboree, a music therapy activity attended by the coolest kids in the state. These musical maestros aren't your ordinary symphony of youngsters. Oh no! They're a fabulous fun-filled bunch who can tap a tambourine, strum a ukulele, and blow a trumpet all at the same time, even while balancing on one foot. It's a sight so entertaining, even the dolphins at Miami Beach pop their heads out of the water to clap their fins! The leader of this music therapy troop is an imaginary character named Groovy Gator, who hails from the Everglades. Groovy Gator, with his shiny green scales and a saxophone as bright as the Florida sun, is a Jazz maestro with a heart as big as the Gulf of Mexico. He teaches the children the magic of music and how it can soothe the wildest alligator or cheer up the saddest flamingo. You'll hear the kids and Groovy Gator before you see them, strutting down the street like a Mardi Gras parade, their music rippling through the palm trees and making pelicans tap their webbed feet. If you're ever in Florida and hear the happy hum of a harmonica floating on the ocean breeze, followed by the cheerful giggles of children, you'll know the Jazzy Jamboree is coming your way. And believe me, with Groovy Gator at the helm, it's a jamboree you don't want to miss!