Do you know the name Ella Jenkins? If not, you have probably heard her music. She wrote and performed children’s music for almost 70 years. She performed in the United States and around the world. She wrote a lot of favorite children’s songs, like “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song” and “Miss Mary Mack.”
Jenkins was born on August 6, 1924. She grew up in Chicago. The city taught her a lot about music. She heard children chanting and clapping as they played outside. She heard sellers on the street calling out to people to buy their goods. She heard gospel choirs singing in churches. She taught herself how to sing and play some instruments so she could make her own music.
In the 1950s, Jenkins started to make music for children. Her songs invited children to sing along. This made her music special. She sang a line. Then the children sang it back to her. Her songs included sounds from her childhood. They included sounds from folk music. They also included sounds from cultures around the world.
Jenkins was very successful. She made 39 albums. She performed at schools and festivals. She appeared on popular children’s programs like Sesame Street. She also won big awards like a Grammy for her lifetime of work. Most importantly, she made music that children loved.
Ella Jenkins died on November 9, 2024, in Chicago. She was 100 years old.
What Do You Think? Listen to one of Ella Jenkins’ songs online. What do you think makes it special?
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