Big Loss for Kwanzaa and Xmas, Composer Ted Vann Passes

[photo: Teddy Vann in younger music-making days.]

By R. Damani Howell, M.D.

To the world beyond, Teddy Vann was the creator of hit songs like "The Power of Love."

But to me -- to the whole community of Lefferts Manor/Prospect Lefferts Gardens -- Teddy was the resident philosopher, who spouted wisdom up and down Midwood Street; he was the artist who played wonderful tunes on his piano for the world outside to hear; and he was the mind-warrior who played wicked games of chess at Wendy's on Empire Boulevard.

Teddy will be especially missed at this time of year.

It was Teddy who many years ago introduced the celebration of Kwanzaa to Central Brooklyn, the lighting of the candles and the adherence to rites he considered more meaningful than ones traditionally associated with the guy on the sled with the reindeer.

Teddy was always looking to give a special meaning to Christmas -- for himself, his family, and other people of color.

It was Ted who several decades ago penned a song that was big on Black radio stations at the time, "Santa Claus Is a Black Man," which featured the cute voice of his oldest child, Akim.

But maybe more than anything else, Teddy was like a surrogate father to hundreds of boys -- now young men -- who loved to play basketball and loved to listen to him talk about how mathematical the game was. He would instruct them in math and sternly push them toward careers and professions that would do them and their families proud.

I learned basketball watching and listening to Teddy, and to Teddy's son Kayode, who went on to play for Georgetown. (Daughter Chinyere would play for Fordham.)

Even in recent years, Teddy remained a fixture at Wingate Park, the neighborhood hang-out spot for basketball and handball players.

Yes, he will be missed very deeply.

When my wife Brittny and I got married several years ago, we proudly played for our guests one of Teddy's songs that made it up the hit charts, "Power of Love," crooned by Luther Vandross.

And that is one of the greatest truths of all, that Love Has Power.

Rest in Peace. And peace to Wan-Ling, Teddy's loving wife, and to Akim and Kayode and Chinyere, and to Teddy's grandchildren, who will miss him very much.

Comments

[Barry Nelson]

hi and im very sad about mr vann'passing let me introduce myself im barry nelson a close friend of the vann family i work with teddy helping out many teens through basketball camps&me&his son&doughters spent many days working on basketball workouts&learning about black history. i will miss teddy so much he was a mentor/father figure to me and i learn so many great values from him i express my deep passing of who i consider my second father teddy love&respect barry nelson

[Henry P. Dohnert]

Henry Perez Dohnert7:19 am

Hi Teddy,

This is a voice from the passed. Over the last forty years or so, I have always remembered you and Rita being so kind to me when I was a kid living at 11 Midwood Street and the car rides to Coney Inland for hot dogs all those years ago. I still remember those wonderful days and nights at the Brill Building and at the recording studios in Manhattan. As long as we remember Teddy, he will always live forever.

P.S. I was so sad to read about the passing of Estelle she was a great lady!!

Henry Perez Dohnert
January 8, 2019
Indianapolis, Indiana

[Eric K. Williams]

Never met this man but, I do remember the song. I knew men like Ted Vann, growing up in the Morrisania section of the South Bronx. Men like that leave a deep and lasting impression on untold hundreds of people. Those people being mostly young boys, who need men like Ted around to help shape them.

Ron, I admire your reading style and, you're one of my heroes, too. Thanks for sharing and, I hope you do not mind that I took the liberty to share this with my network of folks on Face Book.

[Alyssa King Turner]

I echo your comments. Everything you wrote brings back fond memories of Teddy (and Wan-Ling). In fact, since we heard the news of Teddy's passing, several of us who grew up on the block [Midwood] and in the neighborhood have been chatting and reminiscing over these last few days of the impact Teddy had on us. From the intellectual challenges, Kwanzaa celebrations at their house and math tutoring in their basement, to being the cool parents that let us call them by their first name! It seemed strange at first but as the years went by, that "allowance" coupled with the Teddy’s candid dialogue about life and our culture paved the way for a very open relationship and thought provoking topics between adults (Teddy and Wan-Ling) and all the children (many now parents ourselves) to which they had an impact.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family (Wan-Ling, Akim, Kayode and Chinyere).

Teddy, you will be missed but always remembered. Thanks for the life-long memories AND lessons!

Alyssa

[Combat Jack]

Thanks Damani.
The Saddest Christmas, RIP Teddy Vann:
http://daily-math.com/weblog/?p=2016