Herman "Duke" Jenkins

Herman Lee Jenkins Sr. better known as "Duke" was, born in Georgiana, Alabama on October 11, 1918 to the late Elijah Lee Jenkins and the late Willie Mae Jenkins. He was the oldest of four siblings. His parents placed an emphasis on church and Duke was a devout Christian. Duke attended Green Town High School in Canton, Ohio. He and his brother Fred had their own radio show on a Canton radio station it was called, "The Jenkins Brothers Show". After high school, Duke attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and sang with the outstanding college band, the Miami Campus Owls. At Miami University, Duke was encouraged to pursue music at the assistance of the dean of music. Duke was a Veteran, who served in World War II. He was a staff sergeant. While stationed in Galveston, Texas he met and married Christina Thomas (deceased). And of that union they had two children, Sheila (deceased) and Herman Jr. After, being discharged from the army, in 1945 Duke returned to Canton, Ohio, Duke began pursuing his musical aspirations. He and his brother, Fred formed the Duke Jenkins Orchestra and relocated to Chicago and began performing in various well known - clubs such as Chicago's Brass Rail. His wife, Christina, accompanied him and was employed by a hair manufacturing company. Christina began exploring the possibilities of attaching commercial hair onto live hair, which she called "hair weaving". She was the pioneer and inventor of the hair-weev process; which she patented. Duke and Christina relocated to Cleveland, and opened the Christina's Academy of Hair-Weev Inc. From 1952 until 1957, Duke led the house band at the Majestic Hotel on East 55th Street and hosted the legendary Rose Room, Blue Monday Party jam sessions early Monday mornings -- jam sessions that attracted such traveling artists as Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson and Erroll Garner. As a result of his popularity at the Rose Room, Duke also had a regular television jazz program in Cleveland in 1955 and 1956. At various times, it was on all three Cleveland TV channels from one to two every Saturday. Duke persuaded touring jazz artists to appear on his local TV show. In 1959, the Jenkins family relocated to Miami Beach, Florida in which Duke was offered an opportunity to play at the Eden Roc, where he and his orchestra played with entertainers such as, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole and so forth. Upon returning to Cleveland he began playing throughout the Greater Cleveland area, from the Theatrical to Quail Hollow. He was awarded on several occasions of his contributions as being one of the most influential jazz musicians of his time. In 1991, Swingo's at the Statler hosted a tribute to what was then the Duke Jenkins Trio, with brother Fred and drummer Ralph Jackson. In 2005, the trio was inducted to the Glenville Hall of Fame in Jenkins' long-time neighborhood. Duke was a Mason, member of Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Cleveland, Ohio. He also was member of Kiwanis Club. He was affiliated with Americans Federation's of Musicians. He was a dedicated member of Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church. He was an avid golfer and won many trophies. His greatest joy in life was his family, and he was the patriarch of his family. Duke Jenkins departed this life on November 13, 2009. He is preceded in death by his parents Elijah and Willie Mae Jenkins; wife Christina Jenkins and daughter Sheila Cochran. He leaves to cherish his memories, loving son Herman Jr. (Goldie) of Shaker Heights, OH. His beloved brother Fredrick Jenkins (Gwendolyn) of Warrensville Heights, OH,. two grandchildren Rochelle Raymond of Ottawa, Canada and Kristopher Jenkins of Shaker Heights, OH, and two great - grand children Emily and Alex of Ottawa, Canada. He leaves behind as well a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was a man of integrity, ingenuity, tenacity and grace. Duke Jenkins was a gentleman. He had compassion for his fellow man and was a very generous and caring person to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him ,and had the pleasure of knowing him.