Video: WTTW News’ Jay Shefsky interviews Ella Jenkins in 2014. The influential artist had just turned 90.
Ella Jenkins, a self-taught musician who became a leading figure in American folk and children’s music of the 20th century, has died. She was 100 years old.
In a music career spanning more than seven decades, Jenkins was known for revolutionizing children’s music with her signature “call and response” style found throughout her performances.
A pioneer in children’s television and education, Jenkins drew her music from her history of civil rights activism, fostering a spirit of inclusivity, and introducing children to the musical styles, instruments and languages of cultures around the world.
Jenkins died peacefully Saturday at a senior living facility in Chicago, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Jenkins was born on Aug. 6, 1924, in St. Louis, and grew up on Chicago’s South Side. After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology at San Francisco State University, Jenkins returned to Chicago and worked as a program director at a YWCA, creating songs for children.
In 1956, Jenkins appeared on the children’s television show “Totem Club” on WTTW, which led to her hosting her own recurring segment, “This is Rhythm.” Jenkins has also appeared on “Sesame Street,” “Barney & Friends” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
One of Jenkins’ earliest musical influences was her Uncle Flood, who played harmonica.
“Sometimes when I would hear him play and sing, I would hum along and sometimes even whistle, although, my mother said, ‘Girls and women do not whistle,’” Jenkins told WTTW News in 2014.
Despite that, her mother saved up enough money doing household services in the suburbs to take Jenkins to a music store to purchase her first harmonica, Jenkins recalled.
Jenkins released 39 albums on Folkways Records, which later became Smithsonian Folkways Records. Her 1966 album, “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” features members of the children’s chorus of Urban Gateways, a Chicago-based arts education organization.
The title track and one of her most well-known songs, “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2007.
Other notable albums throughout Jenkins’ career include, “Call-and-Response: Rhythmic Group Singing” (1957), “African American Folk Rhythms” (1960), “A Long Time” (1970) and “Multicultural Children’s Songs” (1995).
Jenkins’ work received two Grammy Award nominations for best musical album for children. In 2004, Jenkins received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
