Talk of the Towne Cool Jazz

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”704″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”705″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Embracing the idea that the library is a place to explore and share passions and interests, the Orange Public Library Foundation (OPLF) is hosting a Jazz Festival. Celebrating the Annual Library Legacy Gala and Awards, the June 2nd Cool Jazz event will be held at the historic Ice House in Old Towne.

“The Gala will be in a festival format,” says OPLF Executive Director Julie Kramer. “The afternoon and early evening event will include lots of great music and grazing at a wide variety of food carts offering sweet and savory treats, as well as live and silent auctions.”

Old Towne Ice House

Susan Secoy-Jensen is an architect based in Old Towne, who owns and occupies the Ice House, which has undergone adaptive reuse. The unique 1930 cold storage facility was originally built to manufacture ice and circulate cold air throughout the building in order to keep stored citrus fruit fresh.

“The Ice House is ideal for the event, because the space is home to a lot of creative entities who like to think outside of the box,” says Secoy-Jensen, referring to herself and artists and musicians who live and work there. “The Ice House already has a creative vibe, and we intend to provide a wonderful venue to enjoy the music. Because we’re nestled among other buildings on the edge of Old Towne, the acoustics are good and we can make some noise.”

Secoy-Jensen is especially interested in midcentury modern design as well as jazz music, which dovetail nicely together. “As they say, architecture is frozen music,” she says. “Art, design, architecture, fashion and music all evolve together.”

Talented Jazz Musicians

The Gala will feature an outstanding jazz lineup, including Nancy Sanchez, voted Orange County’s Best Jazz Vocalist for 2012 and 2013, and The York Quartet. The all-female jazz quartet has appeared at events such as the Long Beach and Catalina Jazz festivals and opened for Poncho Sanchez and Seal.

“We’re really looking forward to the event,” says electric and acoustic bassist Jennifer York, who is also a broadcast journalist. For more than 15 years, she did aerial Skycam reporting for Channel 5’s “KTLA Morning News” and is currently doing traffic reports for KNX 1070 radio. She was also in the movie “That Thing You Do,” which was filmed in Old Towne.

“All of us in the quartet have played together for nearly 20 years, and we are totally in tune with one another,” notes York. “We’ll be playing a variety of standards, such as the work of David Lennon.”

OPLF Library Legacy Awards

The Library Legacy Awards to be given at the event will honor Frank and Shannon Tucker for their philanthropy, Susan Secoy-Jensen, AIA, for her work preserving local architecture and the National Charity League Orange–Villa Park Chapter for their volunteer efforts. Cool Jazz at the Ice House will be held on June 2nd from 3 pm to 7 pm. Proceeds support the foundation’s work developing and enhancing the City of Orange public libraries. Visit oplfoundation.org for information and tickets, which run $100 per person and $175 per couple.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]