Ella Jenkins, the Chicago singer and songwriter celebrated as the “First Lady of Children’s Music,” has died at the age of 100. Jenkins, whose career spanned more than six decades, passed away peacefully at the senior living facility in Uptown where she resided.
Born in St. Louis in 1924, Jenkins moved with her family to Chicago as a child. She grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood, where she developed a love of music and taught herself to play the harmonica and ukulele. Her early exposure to different cultural traditions shaped her eclectic musical style, which later blended original songs with folk traditions from around the world.
After earning a degree from San Francisco State University, Jenkins returned to Chicago and began working in community centers. There, she used music as a tool to educate and inspire children, writing many of her own songs. In the 1950s, her passion for teaching through music led to appearances on children’s television programs, including WTTW-Channel 11’s The Totem Club. She later hosted a segment called This Is Rhythm, where she introduced young viewers to the joy of rhythm and song.
Jenkins’ music resonated across generations. Her songs, including “Miss Mary Mack,” “Did You Feed My Cow?,” and the enduring favorite “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” became staples in classrooms, homes, and live performances. Released in 1966, You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song became one of her most celebrated albums, and its title track was famously covered by children’s music icon Raffi in 1979.
“She is a cornerstone of children’s music,” said Maureen Loughran, director of Smithsonian Folkways, the record label that preserved much of Jenkins’ work. “Her influence on the genre is immeasurable.”
Jenkins’ legacy extended beyond her music. She championed diversity and inclusivity throughout her career. In collaboration with fellow musician Juan Dies, she helped bring greater cultural representation to the Old Town School of Folk Music. Despite her deep roots in the African American community, Jenkins emphasized her music’s universal appeal. “I don’t want to be a spokesperson for one community,” she once said. “I believe I speak for everyone.”
Her impact was felt by artists like Wendy Morgan and Darryl Boggs, the duo known as Wendy and DB, who credit Jenkins with inspiring their work in children’s music. “Ella’s authenticity is unmatched,” Morgan said. “Her music is timeless and continues to shape how we connect with young audiences.”
Folk musician Bucky Halker, who recorded with Jenkins, described her as having “a goddess-like presence” and an energy that elevated every project she touched. “There’s a magic about Ella Jenkins that’s hard to put into words,” he said.
Jenkins’ songs bridged cultural divides, introducing children to music from across the globe. Her simple yet profound approach to storytelling through song made her a beloved figure in both the folk and children’s music communities.
“She had a way of making everyone feel included,” Dies said. “Her magic was in her simplicity and her belief in music’s power to bring people together.”
Ella Jenkins’ contributions to children’s music earned her numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2004. Her work continues to inspire generations of artists and educators, ensuring her voice will live on through the children, families, and musicians she touched.
