Danny Simmons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel "Danny" Simmons, Jr. is an abstract-expressionist painter. Older brother of hip-hop impressario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons ("Reverend Run" of Run DMC), he is the founder and President of the Rush Arts Gallery. In addition, Simmons converted part of his loft in Brooklyn into the Corridor Gallery. Along with his brother Russell, Simmons established Def Poetry Jam, which has enjoyed long-running success on HBO. Simmons is also the founder and Vice-President of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization.[1] In 2004, Simmons published Three Days As The Crow Flies, a fictional account of the 1980's New York art scene. He has also written a book of artwork and poetry called I Dreamed My People Were Calling But I Couldn't Find My Way Home.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Simmons is the son of Daniel Simmons, Sr., a truant officer and black history professor who also wrote poetry, and Evelyn Simmons, a teacher who painted as a hobby. He earned a degree in social work from New York University and a master's in public finance from Long Island University. He began painting after he realized how much he hated his job with the Bureau of Child Support.[2]
[edit] Art work
Simmons, an abstract-expressionist painter, has had his work shown nationally. Chase Manhattan Bank, the United Nations, and the Schomburg Center for Black Culture all show his work as part of their collections. He is also an avid collector of African art and comic books.[1]
[edit] Def Poetry Jam
Simmons is the co-executive producer of Russell Simmon's Def Poetry.[3] Def Poetry currently runs on HBO and recently started its sixth season. Simmons came up with the idea for the series when a group of Simmons's friends would gather and perform open mic's at art galleries in the early 1990's. The poets did shows at the Nuyorican, Danny's home, and an art gallery in Manhattan. Simmons then asked his younger brother Russell about extending the "Def Jam" name in a new direction. After many more live events and showcases Danny and his associates Stan Lathan, Bruce George and Bob Sumner managed to launch "Def Poetry Jam" as both a cable show and a Broadway play.[4]
[edit] Bibliography
Simmons, Daniel (June, 2003). Three Days As The Crow Flies, Atria Books, 0-7434-6640-3
