Mfon Umana is a name to be reckoned within Jazz music circles in Nigeria. The multi-linguist has had a robust music sojourn in the Republic of Benin and the United Arabs Emirate. She tells Reporter, Ovwe Medeme, in this interview that she found happiness and peace of mind in music. Excerpts:

What are we to expect from you this year?

We should be expecting concert, tours and we should be expecting my new album to hit the market anytime from now. The only thing holding me back from releasing the album is that I need to do some videos first. I hope to release the videos soon, so expect the album soon.

How many tracks are we looking at in the album?

Originally, it has 11 tracks, but the album that we will be putting out to the market comprises of 12 tracks.

What themes do you address with your music?

I sing about life, about God and about morality. Really, there are songs that I sing that tend to help humanity focus on the way to live as well as to maintain peace, love and unity.

What is the title of the upcoming album?

The album is titled Brand New Page. I gave it that title as a way of asking people to turn a brand new page. It is like asking people to turn on a new leaf. Brand New Page is actually something that imagines a world where there is peace, harmony, love and oneness. It is a way of inciting people to turn to that brand new page.

When did your music career kick off?

Professionally, I have been into music since the year 1997, 13 years now. I have two albums to my credit over those years. Initially, I was more like an artist that sings with a band. We sing people's songs. That was in the University of Benin Republic, where I really started. Then, we did a lot of tours with several artists. After that, I did contract singing in Sheraton Hotel at Benin Republic and then in Dubai, but I was still singing people's songs. It was during that time that I decided to bring out my first album. That is why I have two albums only to my credit.

Considering the tough condition of doing music here, is there any particular reason you came back to Nigeria?

Whether you like it or not, home is home. The longing to really be rooted back home and be projected from here, to be recognised back home and then from here, to gain international recognition is one factor that is responsible for my coming back home. For me, home is where your heart is. It does not matter what condition your home, because when your heart is there, it is home for you anytime.

What genre of music are you into?

I do folk songs, soul music as well as jazz; all blended with African rhythms.

What music instrument do you play?

I play the guitar, but I also touch the percussions once in a while.

Is there a particular reason you prefer the guitar to other instruments?

I love the guitar. It all started from when I was in the Republic of Benin. I had this friend whom we sang together in the band with and he used to play the guitar. I particularly loved the sound of the acoustic guitar; so, I got introduced to the instrument then. If I hadn't learnt the acoustic guitar, then I would have learnt the bass guitar. My love has always been centred on the guitar but the acoustic sound is one that fired the inspiration in me to learn the instrument when I was in Dubai. I learnt to play the guitar in the year 2001.

What is your original field of study?

I studied Information Science at the University of Benin Republic

How can you reconcile your field of study to what you are presently doing?

It is strange, but I think when you have something in you, it will always show itself. That is what happened. I have always had music in me from a tender age. I always had the dream to sing but studying was something I had to do. It is to my advantage because it adds to what I do as a musician. If I hadn't studied, I probably wouldn't be able to write the kind of lyrics I do. I probably wouldn't be able to manage my career the way I do. I wouldn't be able to handle a lot of things well especially the business part of my career. I think it is important to study even when you want to go into the arts because when you study, to some extent, it determines how far you go in your career.

Would you say the kind of music you do is popular in Nigeria?

We are trying to popularise it. It is not too popular but one thing I know about Nigerians is that they have good ears for music, so I trust them on that.

Do you have a target audience for your music?

Really, I was targeting the youth and middle age audience, but from the way I see things, even children react to my songs. I have also seen the way the elderly react to my songs. I think that all levels and category of people react to my songs, so I feel my songs cut across all ages, it is really for everyone.

The kind of music you do is slow-paced and Nigerians particularly like music that will make them shake their bodies. How would you reconcile that?

The kind of music people listen to depends on a lot of things. Some of my music are a little bit on the fast side but it has more to do with slow music. Also, it is not so true that Nigerians are averse to fast music because a friend of mine told me that he listens to my songs and it helps him relax his mind especially when he returns from work. So, there is room for that. There is room for noisy, fast paced songs and there is room for calm songs that soothe the soul. The bottom line is that it all depends on the mood one finds him or herself.

As a Jazz artist, do you tend to draw a line between the fast and slow songs?

I do some fast songs. When I was singing in Republic of Benin and Dubai, I always played all kinds of music like Rock, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Reggae and even Rap. Even on stage, when I play, some of the songs are quite fast. It all depends on my inspiration. It is all a blend.

Between Republic of Benin, Dubai and Nigeria, where did music favour you most?

Music is universal. In Cotonou, at that time, the respect for music and musicians was more than it was in Nigeria. As of now, Nigeria has grown in status and that is one thing that is really impressing. In Dubai, till date, music and musicians are hardly respected. While in Dubai, I was earning money because I was singing six days a week at Sheraton Hotel then later on at Ramadan Continental Hotel and I was being paid per month in addition to free accommodation and transportation. However, it all depends on ones level of preference. The question is whether it is all about money or about ones happiness and peace of mind? In Dubai, I could only slot in my own songs from time to time. I really had to keep singing what was in vogue, what people want to hear. Here, I am doing my song and if I decide to add other people's songs, it is my choice. I cannot base my satisfaction on how much I earn. I would rather base it on the fulfillment I get from doing what I love best.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Lagos. My parents are from Akwa Ibom State, which means I am from there too. I grew up like every other child. I was brought up in Lagos. I have eight siblings, sisters and brothers. I grew up in Surulere area of Lagos from where I attended Maryland Preparatory Nursery and Primary School. I also attended Community Grammar School, then afterwards, Okota Secondary School. After my secondary education, I worked for about a year as a clearing and forwarding agent. I was 16 years then. I was young and curious. Right after that, I got interested in French Language, so, I went to French Village where I did a month course. Through that, we went on excursion to Cotonou. That was where I discovered the school I attended. Eight months later, I went to Cotonou where I learnt the French Language for about five months, and then I got admission into the University. In all, I had nice time schooling.

Can you identify any differences between the educational systems of Benin Republic and that of Nigeria?

There are lots of differences. In Benin Republic, they are very strict. I don't know about the situation now, because I heard recently that they experienced cult activities there, but when I was there, there was nothing like that. In Nigeria, schools go on strikes and we have a high level of cultism in tertiary institutions. Over there, it was all straight. When you gain admission, they tell you the date you will graduate. I didn't waste anytime in school then. I even heard recently that there has been a strike by lecturers in the school there. I think the education standard is still very high there and there is no room for doctoring your result. I pray that God would help Nigeria to attaint that standard of education.

What challenges have you faced so far doing music in Nigeria?

I face a lot of challenges, but the most pressing ones are financial in nature. There are also the social challenges. When you meet people that recognise you have a talent, they don't go outright to help you.

If you are chance to do something else, what would that be?

Really I can not think of any other thing now. I love music with all my heart and I don't see myself doing anything other than music. It is what God has given to me anyway.

Are you married?

I am not yet married, but by the grace of God, that will happen soon.