Inspired by her roots and performers like Cab Calloway, Jenkins transformed children’s music by making it accessible, educational, and joyful. Musicians like Jazzy Ash continue to celebrate her legacy as a Black artist who not only uplifted diverse cultural heritages but encouraged listeners to embrace shared joy. Jenkins’ songs, filled with love and warmth, live on, inviting children and adults alike to "sing a song together."
Known as "the first lady of children's music," Ella Jenkins performed on all seven continents. Courtesy of the artistElla Jenkins: The First Lady of Children's Music Who Shaped Generations
Ella Jenkins, a cherished figure in children's music, passed away on Saturday in Chicago at 100 years old. Known for songs like You’ll Sing A Song and I’ll Sing A Song, she crafted a lasting legacy over her nearly 70-year career, including 39 albums recorded with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Her work embraced folk traditions and was deeply rooted in the civil rights movement and her church upbringing, making her music a joyful form of learning and connection for children worldwide.Jenkins believed in sharing the love of music. In a 2013 NPR interview, she explained that music is about sharing what moves you, saying, “Whatever you happen upon that you really feel you like... listen to it often. And if you want to try to repeat or imitate, do it in a way that someone else will find beautiful too.”A defining feature of Jenkins' music was call-and-response, inspired by Cab Calloway’s famous “Minnie the Moocher.” Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Jenkins was captivated by Calloway's style, sparking her idea to use call-and-response with children. “I say something, and you say it back to me,” Jenkins explained. Her songs often featured this interactive style, helping children learn through simple repetition, imitation, and leadership.Jenkins’ influence reached far and wide, inspiring children’s musicians like Ashli St. Armant, who performs as Jazzy Ash. St. Armant credits Jenkins with encouraging pride and joy in her cultural heritage. “Every culture has a right to be celebrated,” St. Armant said, praising Jenkins for creating a space to celebrate African-American and other cultural traditions in children’s music.Throughout her life, Jenkins celebrated the diversity of cultures, learning songs from around the world. Grammy-winning children’s musician Cathy Fink recalls Jenkins’ curiosity about people’s backgrounds and countries. She notes Jenkins’ view that each new person she met was an opportunity to learn something meaningful. These experiences enriched Jenkins' music, which became a conduit for children and families to explore global cultures.Ella Jenkins’ legacy endures through generations of parents, teachers, and children who continue to sing her songs, learning as they go, just as she envisioned.
Known as "the first lady of children's music," Ella Jenkins performed on all seven continents. Courtesy of the artistElla Jenkins: The First Lady of Children's Music Who Shaped GenerationsElla Jenkins, a cherished figure in children's music, passed away on Saturday in Chicago at 100 years old. Known for songs like You’ll Sing A Song and I’ll Sing A Song, she crafted a lasting legacy over her nearly 70-year career, including 39 albums recorded with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Her work embraced folk traditions and was deeply rooted in the civil rights movement and her church upbringing, making her music a joyful form of learning and connection for children worldwide.Jenkins believed in sharing the love of music. In a 2013 NPR interview, she explained that music is about sharing what moves you, saying, “Whatever you happen upon that you really feel you like... listen to it often. And if you want to try to repeat or imitate, do it in a way that someone else will find beautiful too.”A defining feature of Jenkins' music was call-and-response, inspired by Cab Calloway’s famous “Minnie the Moocher.” Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Jenkins was captivated by Calloway's style, sparking her idea to use call-and-response with children. “I say something, and you say it back to me,” Jenkins explained. Her songs often featured this interactive style, helping children learn through simple repetition, imitation, and leadership.Jenkins’ influence reached far and wide, inspiring children’s musicians like Ashli St. Armant, who performs as Jazzy Ash. St. Armant credits Jenkins with encouraging pride and joy in her cultural heritage. “Every culture has a right to be celebrated,” St. Armant said, praising Jenkins for creating a space to celebrate African-American and other cultural traditions in children’s music.Throughout her life, Jenkins celebrated the diversity of cultures, learning songs from around the world. Grammy-winning children’s musician Cathy Fink recalls Jenkins’ curiosity about people’s backgrounds and countries. She notes Jenkins’ view that each new person she met was an opportunity to learn something meaningful. These experiences enriched Jenkins' music, which became a conduit for children and families to explore global cultures.Ella Jenkins’ legacy endures through generations of parents, teachers, and children who continue to sing her songs, learning as they go, just as she envisioned.
