John Malveaux: For the past twenty-five years, Danellen was part of the Watts Tower Arts Center. I was surprised and deeply moved to see a memorial [9-24-16]

John Malveaux of 

www.MusicUNTOLD.com 

writes:

When I attended The Watts Tower Day of the Drum Festival (9-24-16) and Jazz Festival (9-25-16) I did not expect to see Danellen Joseph because she transitioned  September 13, 2016. Although Danellen and I met and became friends through the Georgia Laster Branch of NANM promoting the performance and preservation of classical music by composers of African descent, we both shared an appreciation of Jazz. Danellen had been present at every previous Festival i attended at Watts Tower. The Watts Tower Jazz Festival is the oldest Jazz festival in Los Angeles. George Wein attended the Watts Tower Jazz Festival the year before he founded the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to teaching instrumental and choral music in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Danellen worked with the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept for over fifteen years as Co-founder and Assistant Coordinator of the Jazz Mentorship Program which brings legendary jazz greats to secondary schools and youth authority facilities. For the past twenty-five years, Danellen was part of the Watts Tower Arts Center.  I was surprised and deeply moved to see a memorial for Danellen exhibited in the Charles Mingus Gallery-see photo. Rosie Lee Hooks, Director of Watts Tower Campus, shared with the Festival audience that Danellen was one of three being honored during the 2016 Festival and her bio was included in a commemorative book. The book was distributed after the memorial service at Holman United Methodist Church the next day. Rosie Lee Hooks also presented a book mark in honor of Danellen. See pic