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Danny Simmons | |
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.jpg) Simmons in 2019 | |
| Born | Daniel "Danny" Simmons Jr. |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Artist, Neo-African Abstract Expressionism |
| Relatives | Russell Simmons (brother) Joseph Simmons (brother) |
| Awards | TONY, Peabody, NY Mayor Awards for Arts + Culture |
| Website | https://dannysimmonsjr.com/ |
Daniel Simmons Jr. is a Neo-Africanabstract expressionist painter, a published author, poet and philanthropist. He is the older brother ofhip-hop impresarioRussell Simmons and rapperJoseph Simmons ("Reverend Run" ofRun–D.M.C.).
Simmons is the chairman and a co-founder, along with his siblings, Russell, and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which provides disadvantaged urban youth with arts access and education.[1] He is the founder of Rush Arts Philadelphia and RAP Gallery II, a new solo exhibition/arts education gallery that opened in 2019 and a former board member of the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the National Conference of Artists and former Chairman for the NYS Council on the Arts.
Along with his brother Russell, Simmons establishedDef Poetry Jam, which has enjoyed long-running success onHBO.[2] In 2004, Simmons publishedThree Days As the Crow Flies, a fictional account of the 1980s New York art scene.
In 2015 Simmons moved to Philadelphia and opened Rush Arts Philadelphia gallery (RAP) to further the Rush Arts mission and to begin to create a national presence for the service organization. In 2016, he opened Rush Arts Philadelphia and RAP Gallery II, a new solo exhibition/arts education gallery that opened in 2019.
Today, his works appear in Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Museum, Chase Manhattan Bank, Deutsche Bank, Schomburg Center for Black Culture, The Smithsonian, United Nations, and, on an international scope has shown work in France, Amsterdam and Ghana. In 2019, he was appointed to Philadelphia Museum of Art's African American Collections Committee.
Simmons is the son of Daniel Simmons Sr., atruant officer and black history professor who also wrote poetry, and Evelyn Simmons, a teacher who painted as a hobby. Simmons grew up inHollis, Queens.[3] He earned a degree in social work fromNew York University and a master's in public finance fromLong Island University Brooklyn. He began painting after he realized how much he hated his job with the Bureau of Child Support.[4]
Danny Simmons holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work from New York University, a Masters in public finance from Long Island University, and in 2012 was a recipient of an honorary PhD in fine arts from Long Island University.
Simmons, an abstract expressionist painter, has had his work shown nationally.Chase Manhattan Bank, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Deutsche Bank, theUnited Nations, and the Schomburg Center for Black Culture all show his work as part of their collections. On an international scope has shown work in France, Amsterdam and Ghana. The Brooklyn museum, as well as the Smithsonian African American Museum, have featured his work. His paintings can often be seen in his published books of poetry. He is also an avid collector ofAfrican art andcomic books.[2]
In 2019, he was appointed to Philadelphia Museum of Art's African American Collections Committee.
Danny Simmons played an instrumental role in the conceiving of and co-producing the hit HBO showDef Poetry Jam, and won a Tony Award for the Broadway version of the show. Simmons is the co-executive producer of Russell Simmons'Def Poetry.[5][better source needed]Def Poetry of which episodes were produced for HBO from 2002 to 2007. Simmons came up with the idea for the series when a group of Simmons's friends would gather and perform open mic nights at art galleries in the early 1990s. 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.[6]
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