To commemorate this holiday, here’s a round-up of our finest stuff on the iconic civil rights activist
Without fail, social movements inspire art. Ella Jenkins started making music when the civil rights movement was still new. Her 50 year career came to earn her the title of “First Lady of the Children’s Folk Song” . Featuring many soulful African American spirituals, her work honors the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. We recommend “Wade in the Water” from her 1960 album African American Folk Rhythms. Give her a listen!
Picture book biographies, folk painting portraits, and a guest appearance from King’ s older sister: our MLK inspired Bunchbrary includes 14 stellar reads for all ages. Books are a great way to open up discussion about racism, segregation and standing up for your rights. Read more...
Beth Blenz-Clucas blogs about music for kids that grownups will love too
When the “First Lady of Children’s Music” sings, people don’t just listen, they participate. With her simple call-and-response approach, Ella Jenkins can bring a crowd of children and adults to their feet, singing and dancing together. Many of the recordings over her 50-year career feature African American spirituals, including “Wade in the Water” from her 1960 album African American Folk Rhythms. The song, straight out of Exodus, once provided a coded message to slaves traveling via the Underground Railroad. Today, anyone singing it along with Ella can feel the song’s power.
Now well into her 80s, Ella continues to inspire and delight children and educators. One of the original artists on the Folkways label, Ella will soon release a new recording, A Life of Song. Read more...
