While in Los Angeles, Derf’s musical endeavors continued to soar. He performed throughout Europe with jazz musician Eddie Harris. He toured around Canada with rock musician Burton Cummings. His command of his craft took him to South Africa’s Joy of Jazz Festival playing alongside jazz singer Dwight Trible.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) wrote a letter of commendation to Tyler Perry – the first African American to own a major movie studio – following the grand opening of the Tyler Perry Studios, which Congresswoman Waters attended in Atlanta. The 330-acre major motion picture studio is “one of the largest production facilities in the country” and includes “40 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, 12 sound stages, 200 acres of greenspace, and a diverse backlot.” Her letter follows:
Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama “Touched by an Angel,” has died at age 86.