GIVEAWAY: WIN Ella Jenkins' 40th Release More Multicultural Children’s Songs Via Smithsonian Folkways (2 winners)

“First Lady of Children’s Music” Ella Jenkins Celebrates 90th Birthday with 
New Album Out 8/5 

How many women can say they turned 90 and released a new album last week?! We think that honor belongs solely to Ella Jenkins!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we are so excited to announce the release of Ella Jenkins’ 40^th album from Folkways, More Multicultural Children’s Songs, out 8/5/14 (one day before her 90th birthday)!  This prolific and powerful performer is truly a treasure. 



Disclosure:  Thanks to Ella Jenkins and Smithsonian Folkways for partnering up with ChiIL Mama and providing us with giveaway and review copies. As always, all opinions are our own.

We've been huge fans of Ella's work for decades. Back when my kids were toddlers, my daughter Sage mistook the similar sounding Ella/Hello and adamantly insisted her name was "Hello Jenkins", and wouldn't be corrected. When Sage gave her a big hug and called her "Hello Jenkins" at a show, we told Ella the story and she smiled and laughed good naturedly. 

Somehow it fits her. Her multicultural music is a joyous greeting the world over, that's spanned 40 albums and 57 years. Hello Jenkins indeed!

WIN More Multicultural Children’s Songs: 
ChiIL Mama is celebrating the new release by giving away TWO copies of More Multicultural Children’s Songs to two of our lucky readers ($14.98 value each).

Enter HERE for your chance to win! Our full review is coming shortly. In the mean time, enter to win a copy of your own. Open nationwide to anyone in the US. Enter through midnight August 26th.

Sage held Ella's hand in a circle dance when she played Kidzapalooza waaaaay back in 2006. Here are a few of our shots from that show. Ella played Kidza again in 2013 and holds the distinction as oldest performer at Lollapalooza to date.



Ella Jenkins celebrating her 82nd birthday at Kidzapalooza in 2006

ChiIL Mama, Dugan (5) and Sage (3) at Kidzapalooza in 2006

I was so happy to be approached to add birthday wishes to a card for her, last week at the VIR Kidzapalooza Brunch at The James Hotel, along with a number of our favorite kindie artists. Of course I referenced the "Hello Jenkins" story.

"You are pure inspiration. Happy Birthday "Hello Jenkins" Love, ChiIL Mama & Family." 

Photo Credit: Lynn Orman Weiss

Click HERE for a Three-song sneak preview from More Multicultural Children’s Songs 

The 40th album presents a selection of the Grammy-winning artist’s favorite songs learned from cultures around the world, inspiring respect and rejoicing in the traditions of others among children of all ages. 

Thanks to Lynn Orman Weiss, who shot this fun video greeting for Ella with kindie musicians Brady Rymer (in from NYC), and Chicago's own Little Miss Ann (Ann Torralba), Jeanie B. and Laura Doherty. Lynn invited us to share it with you.  

Ella is one of our favorites here at ChiIL Mama. She is such an incredible artist and a fine example of all that's right and good in the world. She was a "kindie" or kids' indie musician eons before the genre officially existed and we don't know a children's musician today who hasn't been touched, inspired and influenced by her. It's amazing to me that Ella has now influenced kids today, their parents, their grandparents and even their GREAT grandparents.

No Smithsonian Folkways release has been more popular than Ella Jenkins’ 1995 album Multicultural Children’s Songs, a selection of her favorite melodies learned from cultures around the world. In celebration of Ella’s 90th birthday on August 6, Smithsonian Folkways released ‘More Multicultural Children’s Songs’ (official release date 8/5/14). The album is her 40th title spanning an amazing 57 years and features 20 classics from her prolific catalogue.

More Multicultural Children’s Songs inspires respect and rejoicing in the traditions of others among children of all ages. “Hukilau” takes the listener to a Hawaiian fish-eating ceremony, “Rushing Around in Russia” teaches greetings, and “Qué Bonita Bandera” is a beautiful ode to the Puerto Rican flag. Ella also makes pit stops in China, Germany, Greece and beyond throughout this 20-track journey. More Multicultural Children’s Songs includes a beautiful essay from Ella herself, in which she says: “The songs and stories were inspired by the wonderful people I’ve met all over the world, and in the spirit of how they shared their customs and songs with me, I pass them on to you.”

Chicago-based Ella Jenkins, known as “The First Lady of Children’s Music,” has received many awards over her long career, including a 2004 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (the only such award given to a children’s musician), and an Honorary Doctorate from the Erikson Institute the same year. In 2005, cELLAbration, an album of Ella’s songs performed by Sweet Honey In The Rock, Riders in the Sky, Tom Paxton, Cathy & Marcy, Pete Seeger, Tom Chapin, and others won the 2005 GRAMMY for Best Children’s Album.

Ella was the first woman and first children’s musician to receive the ASCAP Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and in 2009 she earned a United States Artists award. She is one of the first African American women to have a TV show, when in the 1950s she hosted a weekly segment on “The Totem Club,” a children’s program broadcast in Chicago. Her “Me Too Series” films were featured numerous times on “Sesame Street,” and she has also appeared on “Barney and Friends” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

Her 1966 album ‘You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song’ is part of the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. In 2013, Ella kicked off the Lollapalooza festival kid’s stage. Currently, her recordings of “Wade in the Water” and “A Man Went Down to the River” are featured in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s internationally acclaimed ballet Revelations.

“Ella Jenkins is a constant source of inspiration and a bottomless well of songs, ideas, and spirit. She is by far the most worldly performer that children’s music has ever known.” -- Dan Zanes

More Multicultural Children’s Songs tracklist:

1.         Where is Mary?

2.         Shabat Shalom

3.         Hukilau

4.         Rushing Around in Russia

5.         In the People’s Republic of China

6.         A Train Ride to the Great Wall

7.         Count from One to Ten

8.         I’m Going to Cairo

9.         Que Bonita Bandera

10.       Canadian Friendship

11.       A German Counting Rhyme

12.       Tee-Kan-Yas

13.       Yemayah

14.       A Taxi Ride

15.       Differences (spoken word)

16.       In Australia

17.       Australian Zoo

18.       Bim Bom, Bim Bom

19.       My Little Blue Dreidel

20.       Chotto Matte Kudasai

More Multicultural Children's Songs from 

Ella Jenkins

Ella Jenkins SFW45078

No Smithsonian Folkways release has been more popular than the 1995 album Multicultural Children’s Songs, a selection of Ella Jenkins’ favorite melodies she learned from cultures around the world. Now, Folkways brings you More Multicultural Children’s Songs from Ella Jenkins, 20 additional classics from The First Lady of Children’s Music’s prolific work. Multilingual, multicultural, and multi-national, this collection of timeless tracks inspires respect and rejoicing in the traditions of others. 44 minutes, 20 page booklet with lyrics.

FREE DOWNLOAD
Please enjoy a free download of the song “Where is Mary?”

Where is Mary?

MP3

FLAC

YEAR OF RECORDING 2014

RECORD LABEL Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

SOURCE ARCHIVE Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

CREDITS Produced by John Smith ; Mastered by Pete Reiniger ; Photography by Karen Hoyt Byers ; Introduction by Ella Jenkins ; Design by Visual Dialogue

Disclosure:  Once again, thanks to Ella Jenkins and Smithsonian Folkways for partnering up with ChiIL Mama and providing us with giveaway and review copies. As always, all opinions are our own.

KINDIE LAND: Ella Jenkins To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award in Chicago 1/23/13

Chicago Music Legend Ella Jenkins to be Honored by Chicago Metro AEYC

Timeless Children's music icon, Ella Jenkins, at Kidzapalooza 2006 

As a toddler, my daughter, Sage, used to call her "Hello Jenkins" -- mistaking the similar sounding Ella/Hello and it stuck.   When we told Ella about the knickname at one of her concerts, she smiled and laughed, and said she liked it.   Sage held her hand at Kidzapalooza way back in 2006, and she's held a special place in our hearts ever since.   If hello means greetings, friendship, & welcome....then ELLA is synonymous with HELLO indeed.

August 2006-Du-Jay 5 & Sagezilla 3

                                          Nov 2012-Sagezilla 9 & Du-Jay 11 

Some things change....some stay the same.   Du-Jay and Sagezilla have grown and changed immensely in the past 7 years, but Ella Jenkins is still going strong.

My son and daughter have grown up with Ella Jenkins' beautiful voice and fabulous philosophy.   Ella has always advocated for playground songs like jump rope classics,  that get kids moving, traditional folk songs and heartfelt, life affirming originals.  She's been playing music and touching hearts for so many years now, she's onto a whole new generation, singing to the children of the children she used to reach and teach, and sometimes even a 3rd generation!   Ella was truly a pioneer, back before kids' indie or kindie music existed as a genre.   And she has inspired countless musicians to create family friendly releases.   Our world is a richer, more amazing place because of her music.   And at 88 years young, she's still at it.    Her music is moving in many senses of the word.

ChiIL Mama will be giving away two copies of Ella's brand new release, Moving With Ella Jenkins, that will be coming out next Tuesday, the 29th, paired up with a host of excellent new releases in kindie music (open throughout the USA).    Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often and we'll have a full CD review and our giveaway entry form up shortly.

We were thrilled and honored to be invited to the private ceremony tomorrow, by our friend and press colleague, Lynn Orman Weiss, over at Orman Music & Media Group, and we're working on setting up a video interview with Ella.   Check out our past Ella Jenkins coverage here.

Jenkins To Receive Lifetime Achievement Opening Minds Award for Pioneering Pathways in Music Education for Children 

Chicago music legend and First Lady of Children’s Music Ella Jenkins will receive the Lifetime Achievement Opening Minds Award at a private reception in Chicago on January 23^rd for her contributions to and advocacy in music education for children. The Award will be bestowed by Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children (Chicago Metro AEYC), a leader in early care and education services for young children ages birth through age eight and coincides with the opening of its annual Opening Minds Conference attended by 5,000 educators and early care professionals.

Through her music, Jenkins has dedicated her life to making this world a better place for children and has achieved international stature as a pioneer and leader in the children’s educational music industry. She presently has a collection of award-winning audio and video releases and her children’s songs are part of educational curriculum's spanning the globe. 

At the young age of 88, Chicago-based Jenkins still has the whole world in her hands, continuing to bring millions of children the joy of music; her new CD “Moving with Ella Jenkins,” will be released Tuesday, January 29 by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings (her 33rd title recorded by the organization).

 “We are forever grateful to Ella Jenkins, a pioneer in music education and recordings for young children, who has truly changed the course of so many lives, both young and old,” says Gail Conway, CEO of Chicago Metro AEYC.  “For her long standing commitment and advocacy in the field of music and early childhood education across the globe and as a former Service to Young Children’s Award Honoree of Chicago Metro AEYC, it is our great pleasure to now bestow her with our first “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

According to Conway, “music and the arts play such a pivotal role in young children’s developing intellect and emotional life. We are fortunate to have role models and trailblazers as Ella Jenkins advocating to keep this educational form alive.” 

Chicago Metro AEYC’s Creative Community Project helps fuel creativity by helping various cultural institutions develop accessible, child centered and family friendly programming. Its first partnering was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Once Upon a Symphony,’ which combined music and storytelling in an interactive orchestral experience to introduce young children to the world of classical music. 

“Funds for programs in all arts education are so vitally needed to continue nurturing and inspiring our children,” Conway adds. “We plan to continue seeking out partners as funds allow.”

Honors will also be bestowed to Chicago’s Michael Byrd, Executive Director of CASA of Cook County who is this year’s Service to Young Children Award recipient.  CASA speaks up in court for abused and neglected children and ensures that children live in safe, permanent homes. A 25 year veteran working with the issues that complicate the lives of the families involved in the Child Welfare System, his experience includes working as the Public Policy and Research Specialist with the Illinois African American Family Commission and as a Senior TA Consultant for Strengthening Families Illinois. 

Chicago Metro AEYC is the premiere quality care and early childhood education organization for children from birth through eight years old. A proven leader, Chicago Metro AEYC is the BEST option for professional development, pioneering new pathways and advocating for policies and practices to advance and prepare the entire early care and education field for a global community.

Hello Ella Jenkins-See The First Lady of Children's Folk Music This Sunday at OTSFM

Youth Musicians Open for Veteran Children’s Music Performer

The Young Stracke All-Stars, ages 8-13,  are thrilled to perform on bill with Ella Jenkins whose musical legacy spans 50 years.   ChiIL Mama has known 3 of The Young Stracke All-Stars since their pre-school days--about as long as our own kids have adored Ella Jenkins.   When Sagie was a toddler, she insisted her name was "hello Jenkins" instead of Ella, and was thrilled to hold her hand at Kidzapalooza 2006.   We can't wait to see everyone playing together on Sunday!

Some of the newest musicians on the folk music scene in Chicago will have the opportunity of a lifetime when they open for “The First Lady of Children’s Folk Music,”  Ella Jenkins, on February 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Town School of Folk Music (OTSFM) 

The Young Stracke All-Stars are a band of young people ages 8-13 who are students at the Old Town School of Folk Music and who have shown a dedication to the ideals of the Old Town School community; they are dedicated, curious, passionate and enthusiastic about community music.  The band is named after OTSFM founder Win Stracke, and though they have played at various festivals and venues around town, this gig is very important to them.  

“I’m very excited that we get to open up for one of my favorite artists,” says band member Zelda Zerkel-Morris, age 8.  Jason McInnes is a teacher at OTSFM and convenes the band.  “This is such a great opportunity for the band to learn from being on the same stage with such an amazing performer who has contributed so much to the history of the music they are playing,” says McInnes.

Ella Jenkins, winner of the 2004 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, has been recording and playing Children’s and Folk music around the world since the 1950’s.  Generations of children in the Chicago area have grown up on the music of Ms. Jenkins, a long-time Chicago resident who performs regularly around the area.

Tickets to the show are available by calling the OTSFM box office at 773.728.6000.  $15 General Public/$13 Old Town School Members/$15 Seniors & Children.

Who:    The Young Stracke All-Stars/ Ella Jenkins

What:    Folk/ Community Music

When:    February 6, 11:00 a.m.

Where:    The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.