Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

Derf Reklaw

Derf Reklaw (b. January 11, 1947 - d. February 24, 2022) is one of the original members of The Pharoahs, he is a musician, composer, choreographer, lecturer, vocalist and inventor amongst other things. Reklaw moved to LA from Chicago in 1979. He was an artist in residence at several educational institutions including UCLA, Santa Monica College, LA Conservatory and View Park Academy. He became an integral part of Los Angeles' Leimert Park artistic community that included Horace Tapscott, Billy Higgins, and Kamau Daaood. He also performed and recorded with many artists including Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Eddie Harris, Minnie Ripperton, Ahmad Jamal, Sting and Lionel Hampton.