Black History Month
Edmund Thornton Jenkins grew up surrounded by music. He was the son of the Reverend Daniel Jenkins, who founded Jenkins Orphanage and the world-famous band of children who lived there. He eventually attended Morehouse College and later served as Director of Bands for the children’s home, until he was invited to attend London’s Royal Academy of Music in 1914. He continued to study under musicians in London and Paris, but eventually composed a tribute to his native city. Charlestonia honored the city that Edmund grew up in but chose not to make his home, possibly because of how many more opportunities he had outside of the American South at the time. The composition was performed in London and Belgium, but not in Charleston – until 1996, when performed by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as a part of “Edmund Jenkins Homecoming Month.” Edmund composed many other pieces, including an operetta, called Afram. He died in 1926 in Paris after an illness.
Throughout February, we’re highlighting Black members of the Lowcountry community, discussing the lives they led, the work they did and the impact they made.