Edmund Thornton Jenkins (1894–1926) was an American composer who spent much of his life in Europe.

Biography

Charleston

Jenkins was born in Charleston, South Carolina where his Baptist-minister father, Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins, had set up and run the Jenkins Orphanage, which became internationally well-known for its wind band. Edmund Jenkins studied clarinet, piano and violin at the Atlanta Baptist College (now Morehouse College), and played in and directed the Jenkins Orphanage Band.

London

In 1914 the orphanage band travelled to England to perform at the Anglo-American Exposition in London. Edmund remained in London where, aged 20, he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) to study clarinet, piano, singing and composition. At the RAM he was awarded an orchestral scholarship (1915–17), prizes for singing, clarinet and piano playing, the Charles Lucas prize for composition (1918), Battison Haynes prize for composition (1918) and the Ross Scholarship (1919–21). On leaving the RAM he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. While in London Edmund Jenkins worked as an orchestral musician in theatre orchestras and dance bands resulting in his participation in a number of recordings.

Paris

In 1924 Edmund Jenkins moved to Paris where he established the Anglo-Continental-American Music Press while also performing and composing. He died in Paris 'from causes unknown' after being admitted to the city's Tenon hospital.

Works

Chamber ensemble

Opera

Orchestral works

Organ

Piano

Songs

with orchestra

with piano