Daughters of Nat King Cole Start Foundation for Music Education in South Florida

Timolin and Casey Cole, the twin daughters of legendary singer and pianist Nat "King" Cole, celebrated what would have been their father's 90th birthday on Wednesday, March 17 by announcing a new foundation to help provide music education to children of all ethnic backgrounds, diversities and ages in South Florida.  The Nat King Cole Generation Hope charity will provide money to orgainaztions for instrumental instruction, composition, songwriting and recording arts.

The Cole's explain the foundation on its website:

Our father, the incomparable Nat King Cole, signified true American royalty . . . one of those few entertainers who was everything he seemed and more. He was gifted with a rare blend of technical knowledge and sheer performing artistry topped off with an abundance of showmanship - all the while managing to remain tolerant, gracious and humble to the end. Nat King Cole had a special gift of making what he did look so easy - always in control -always the master. His voice and his music had a universal appeal that was and continues to be of timeless quality. He will forever be recognized and celebrated for the trailblazer that he was in breaking down racial barriers and for his technical and stylistic contributions to the world of music.

While the arts were an integral part of the educational curriculum in his lifetime, today’s youth are art starved. Specifically, in July 2008, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that due to plummeting state funding and rising costs such as diesel fuel for buses, Palm Beach County schools needed to find a way to reduce their operating costs by $55.7 million. Several budget cuts were made, including cutting individual school budgets by 3 percent. More often than not, this means budget cuts in extra-curricular activities, such as music education. And, research shows that over 72% of students with a high involvement in music score in the top two quartiles of standardize tests. This is in comparison to the 45% of students with low involvement in music. Music education can also help students learn important life skills such as problem solving, creative thinking and mental discipline.

My twin sister, Casey and I believe our father, by right, has earned his place in history as a true American hero and legend through his contributions to the world of music. We therefore feel the time is right to launch Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. with the goal of inspiring our youth while enriching their lives, through the power of music.

They further explain their mission:

Nat King Cole Generation Hope was created to provide funding for music education in South Florida, reaching children with the greatest need and fewest resources of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and diversities. The Foundation will help to provide musical instruments, field trips, and seminars, as well as instruction in composition, songwriting and recording arts.


One greater goal of the Foundation is to promote the growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music. Celebrating creativity and providing the opportunity for young people to be inspired by the transforming power of music is core to our mission. Our objective is to develop and foster self-esteem through individual accomplishment.

Yoko Ono Takes Stage at NAMM to Kick Off Lennon 70th Celebration and Talk About Music Education

Yoko Ono appeared at the annual NAMM convention this week to kick off the year-long celebration of John Lennon's 70th birthday.  Joining her on the stage were Quincy Jones and Jackson Browne who spoke about the importance of music education for American youth.

Ono talked about Lennon's legacy and her continued support for music education, speaking at length about the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus which gives students hands-on experience with music and the digital arts.

“John’s voice was unique and beautiful and his voice is still here traveling all over the United States on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, so that students across the country can make music.

"The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit outreach program with the mission of giving kids a chance to express themselves through music and video productions.  It has been a living legacy to John’s passion for musical expression and artistic freedom. By utilizing the on-the-road John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and its fine studio set-up, thousands of students have written, recorded and produced original songs and videos – students who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to explore these avenues of creativity. At a time with music education in the schools is facing tough funding challenges, the Bus has been a rolling testament to the enduring, positive power of music making."

Also appearing at the presentation were students from South Central Los Angeles' Fernando Pullman Performing Arts School, an institution that boasts a graduation rate of 100% in an area of the city that normally only graduates 30% of their students.  They performed a medley of Lennon's songs with Rickey Minor, musical director of American Idol.

From a press release on the Lennon Bus:

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. In its 12th year of touring, the venture is proud of its brand new bus and its studios, which boast the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. The concept began as an offshoot of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for both professional and amateur songwriters around the world. The Bus travels across the U.S. and Canada year-round, providing free tours and workshops at schools, retailers, festivals, on tours with headlining artists, and at major industry conferences. The Bus, a 501(c)(3) venture, is made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Apple, Maxell Corporation, NAMM, The Beatles: Rock Band, Gibson, Epiphone, Sony, Avid, Roland, Mackie, GHS Strings, Sonicbids, Disc Makers, Edirol by Roland, Blackheart Amps, Ampeg, Boss, Digital Media Academy, Aphex Systems, Audio-Technica, Glyph Technologies, Neutrik, Music Player Network, Propellerhead, Musician’s Friend, Harris Corporation, Ableton, Apogee, Litepanels, Applied Acoustics Systems, Antares, McDSP, IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, Slingerland Drums, Bogen Imaging, and Noise Industries. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is made possible by an agreement with Yoko Ono Lennon.

For more information on ways to support music in your school system, go to http://www.supportmusic.com/.