(Timolin Cole, left, and Casey Cole, far right, with West Boca High School’s Vanguard Jazz Band.)
The music and even the jewelry were “Unforgettable” at a reception to honor legendary singer Nat King Cole’s legacy.
“Keeping music alive” has been his twin daughters’ mantra since they started Nat King Cole Generation Hope 10 years ago. The Boca-based nonprofit provide lessons and instruments to at-risk kids.
“It’s all about generating awareness of what we are doing and working diligently to keep music alive,” Timolin Cole said with her sister Casey to welcome supporters to a reception at Jay Feder Jewelers. “Our father hoped to one day create harmony among people through music.”
West Boca’s Vanguard Jazz Band entertained. And LeNora Jayne and DeZhon Fields sang duets of King Cole classics.
Dr. Courtney D. Jones, a board member, announced a new jazz camp this summer. The new addition to their programming will be at Florida Atlantic University, said Jones, FAU’s assistant professor of trumpet and jazz artistic director.
New board member Frank Duemmler got involved through a friend, he said. Then he donated money to help restore an accordion, added Shanna St. John, Generation Hope’s executive director. Close to his heart, the business executive plays his mother’s original accordion, he said.
Feder’s special events coordinator made the connection through Generation Hope’s Lip Sync fundraisers. Thursday night’s reception was more than a year in the making, said Kevin R. Ray. The store, on 18th street, was designed to host events, he added.
Not that the soiree needed more glitter with the jewelry array.
But pageant title holders genially mixed with guests, crowns and all. Miss Margate USA Ashlea Stringfellow and Miss Boca Raton USA, a teen contender and Spanish River High student, were among them. The Miss Florida USA pageant is in Coral Springs in January, they said.
By Marci Shatzman