Chicago’s beloved singer and songwriter Ella Jenkins, known as the “First Lady of Children’s Music,” has passed away at the age of 100.
Jenkins, whose career spanned more than six decades, died peacefully on Saturday at a senior living facility in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
Born in St. Louis and raised in Chicago, Jenkins was a self-taught musician who mastered the ukulele and harmonica as a young child.
After graduating from San Francisco State University, she returned to Chicago, where she began using music to teach children at community centers.
Her creative songs and engaging teaching style soon gained recognition, making her a household name in children’s entertainment.
In the 1950s, Jenkins appeared on children’s TV programs, launching her career as a full-time musician. She became a beloved figure on Chicago’s WTTW-Channel 11 with her regular segment
“This Is Rhythm” on the show The Totem Club. Jenkins’ infectious energy and authentic approach to music helped children across the country engage with her songs, both original and traditional.
Her song catalog included iconic tunes such as “Miss Mary Mack,” “Did You Feed My Cow?,” “Stop and Go,” and “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” which became a classic in 1966 and was later covered by famous children’s musician Raffi.
Jenkins’ albums celebrated cultural diversity, featuring traditional songs from different parts of the United States and around the world.
“Ella Jenkins is one of the premiere artists of children’s music,” said Maureen Loughran, director and curator of Smithsonian Folkways. “She is one of the originators of children’s music within the music industry itself.”
Jenkins’ influence extended far beyond her own performances. Musicians like Wendy Morgan and Darryl Boggs, known together as Wendy and DB, cite Jenkins as a major inspiration.
“Ella’s music is long-lasting, it’s lifelong,” Boggs said. “I’m African American, and Ella’s African American, and that legacy for me, it’s just me taking that legacy from her and passing it on.”
Other musicians, including Chicago folk artist Bucky Halker and Juan Dies, also recorded with Jenkins, reflecting her lasting impact on the folk music community.
Halker described her as having a “certain aura, a goddess-like quality,” while Dies praised her for her ability to bring diversity to the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Jenkins’ music and legacy will continue to resonate with generations of children, parents, and musicians alike, as her influence remains deeply embedded in the world of children’s folk music.
