Ella Jenkins, celebrated songwriter and ‘First Lady of Children’s Music,’ dies at 100

As a movie buff with a penchant for musical biopics, I can confidently say that Ella Jenkins’ life story is one worth telling on the silver screen. Her journey from a young girl sitting for hours listening to her uncle play harmonica in St. Louis to an internationally acclaimed artist who revolutionized children’s music is nothing short of inspiring.

On Saturday, Ella Jenkins, a highly productive and groundbreaking figure in music, often referred to as the “First Lady of Children’s Music,” passed away at the age of 100.

The renowned artist who predominantly produced music for children, and was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, passed away tranquilly at her home in Chicago, as stated by her long-standing record label, Smithsonian Folkways.

On Sunday, we express our deep sorrow over the death of Ella Jenkins, a renowned folk musician from the 20th century, known for her groundbreaking work in children’s music. Her global impact on listeners continues to inspire new generations,” the label expressed in a tweet.

Reps from Jenkins and the Smithsonian Folkways didn’t respond straight away when contacted on Monday by The Times.

As a multi-instrumentalist, the “Miss Mary Mack” and “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” singer became an internationally respected artist with her contributions to early childhood education. Her recordings have been used in classrooms across the country and include songs about colors, shapes, safety, history and travel. Jenkins, who never wed or had children of her own, centered kids in her work, featuring them on her recordings and teaching them her core principles: careful listening, singing and improvisation.

She expressed to The Times in 2004, after being recognized as a Grammy Award honoree, that she discovered children don’t focus on aspects like your race, age, or origins. Instead, it is the mutual exchange of music and sincere interest in them that truly matters. In essence, you treat each child as an individual with respect, and they can sense quite early if your intentions are genuine.

Jenkins employed a variety of instruments such as the baritone ukulele, harmonica, and even incorporated humming and bird calls in her compositions. Drawing inspiration from various languages like Spanish, Chinese, Hebrew, Korean, Swahili, and more, she found that songs from diverse cultures often featured intriguing rhythmic patterns that appealed to children. By incorporating folk melodies and interactive sing-along activity songs into her work, Jenkins aimed to instill in children an appreciation for using music as a means of communication.

In 1997, Jenkins shared with The Times that she particularly enjoys the company of children. At concerts or family workshops, they don’t see her as an older or Black woman, but rather as someone who shares songs and music they can relate to. It’s a mutual exchange.

Jenkins, born on August 6, 1924, in St. Louis, spent her early years moving around before eventually settling on Chicago’s South Side. Growing up, she was deeply respectful towards her elders and teachers, a trait that served her well throughout life. Her uncle Flood, who loved blues and played the harmonica, sparked her interest in music. Hours upon hours were spent listening to his melodies. Jenkins’ musical education wasn’t formal; instead, she was influenced by the gospel music and call-and-response folk traditions that surrounded her upbringing. Her creative journey in composing children’s songs began during her volunteer work at a Chicago recreation center. Driven by the conviction that music isn’t merely an independent entity, but “a tool for helping children understand themselves better and appreciate their unique identities,” she penned these tunes.

Her work, influenced by hymns from the church, jukebox-style pop tunes, and grand orchestral jazz, encompassed well-known preschool songs like “The Hello Song,” “The Hi Dee Ho Man,” “Dulce Dulce” and a well-liked version of “Wade in the Water.

1957 saw Jenkins debut her first vinyl album, titled “Call and Response,” which was published on Folkways Records, the original label of Moses Asch. Her associate Bernadelle Richter, who had initially recruited her to perform folk music at an American Youth Hostel folk event, managed her professional affairs. Subsequently, Jenkins toured extensively across the U.S. and worldwide, making appearances on children’s television shows like “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and “Barney & Friends.

In 1966, she published her famous song “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” which became a hit on Smithsonian Folkways, along with the Urban Gateways children’s choir. Following this, she released numerous other songs and albums, many of which kept the label afloat for several years.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: In 2007, the Library of Congress recognized “You’ll Sing a Song” by acknowledging its inclusion in the National Film Registry. To me, and I believe to many others, this work is significant not only because of its continued appeal but also as a reflection of Jenkins’ innovative approach to fostering children’s musicality through rhythmic group singing using the call-and-response methodology.

At one point, the library stated that when ‘one’ sings a tune and another listens along, they initiate a conversation through music. When both join in singing together, it underscores the importance of mutual respect and appreciation for diverse cultures and shared experiences.

The song, as well as her 1969 recording “The Wilderness,” were Jenkins’ favorites.

Back in 2011, I had the privilege of recording “A Life of Song,” my 32nd album on Smithsonian Folkways, and it was also the inaugural children’s album in the African American Legacy Series. To celebrate my 90th birthday in 2014, Smithsonian Folkways released “More Multicultural Children’s Songs,” marking my 40th album and encapsulating the span of my remarkable 57-year career.

In 2000 and 2005, Jenkins received Grammy Award nominations for her children’s albums, specifically “Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together” and “Sharing Cultures With Ella Jenkins”. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, her last live performance took place in 2017.

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2024-11-12 00:01