Meet JENNA Nation | R&B Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with JENNA Nation and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JENNA, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my business and brand is being authentic. Being in the music industry, it is so easy to fall into trends and listen to what other people might tell you have to be or should be. If you’re not authentic and true to who you are as an artist it’s difficult to keep up long term, it’s exhausting and people are very good at picking out who is authentic and who isn’t. I believe it is essential for the longevity and success of any artist’s career. On a personal level, a large part of success for me is being happy. If I am not authentically who I am and true to who I am I wouldn’t be happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been in the music industry for over 20 years. I was very fortunate to know from a young age what I wanted to do and that was to sing. I was always singing as a child and performing for anyone who would watch or listen. When I felt down I would sit at the piano and write a song about my feelings. I was fortunate to have a very supportive family and to be able to do what I love. I started music lessons with various teachers from a young age and continued into my adulthood. I also attended the Berklee College of Music where I obtained a degree in Music Performance. I entered many singing competitions as a youth. When I won my very first competition at the age of 8 that is when I knew that this was what I was meant to do. I started my professional career at the age of 9. My first professional gig was performing on Parliament Hill for the Canada Day Celebrations. Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have some incredible experiences such as performing at some major venues and music festivals internationally, opening for some well known artists such as Shawn Mendes and working with some of the best in the industry. I started out my career as a jazz singer and completed two jazz albums as a teenager. After that, I released two original R&B/Pop albums and am in the process of releasing a third. Part of what makes me unique as an artist is that I have a background in various styles of music including having classical training, jazz, soul, latin and world music. I was also exposed to a lot of different genres of music from a very young age. I like to incorporate a lot of these different styles and influences into my own music. While I love writing, recording and the creative process, I feel most at home on stage. I absolutely love to perform. It’s a feeling like no other. For me, if I have the ability to make people feel on a deep level, relate to others and bring people together then I have done my job. The music industry is definitely a difficult business. There are a lot of challenges from people trying to tear you down, to making false promises, stealing your work or money, navigating the industry and in particular, as a female as well as navigating the online world. There is no road map for being a successful artist. It’s a lot of hard work, often with not much recognition. You need to have tough skin. You truly have to love it. While there have been many ups and downs in my career I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I don’t know who I would be without music. It’s a part of me. I’ve definitely learned to be adaptable, to never give up, to stay true to who I am and to make sure that I am continuing to enjoy the process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Toronto is an incredible city. It is rich in art and culture. There are so many great places to see live music, so many wonderful festivals that happen during the summer, great places to eat and hang and breathtaking views. I would highly recommend a walk by the harbourfront, going to catch some live music at a venue like Poetry Jazz Cafe, a walk around Kensington Market or Ossington Ave, or trying some of the many amazing restaurants along King St W or College St.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been very fortunate to have had a lot of very supportive and amazing people in my life. First, my family has always been there for me and supportive of my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They have spent countless hours driving me to lessons, sitting through concerts, competitions and lessons, helping me to prepare for shows and competitions, traveling with me for work and making that all possible as well as spending countless hours in the studio with me. I am also very fortunate to have some extremely supportive friends who come out to my shows and bring other friends as well. I have had some incredible music teachers over the years who have truly helped me to grow as an artist and prepared me for a career in the music industry. I have worked with some very talented musicians, songwriters and producers who have helped to develop my sound and nourish my creative appetite.

Website: www.JENNAnation.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thejennanation

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thejennanation

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thejennanation

Youtube: http://youtube.com/jennanation

Other: Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/thejennanation Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/68wMXajLFtZ7CHYdvoPlL0 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jenna-nation/1270996855

Image Credits
Mark Maryanovich Ivan Otis