Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Camille.
Hi Jenna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
By 6 years old, I began classical piano training at Sewell Music Conservatory in Northwest, DC. Once I reached high school, I went to Duke Ellington School of the Arts and was trained in classical and jazz. I continued as a Jazz Studies major at Michigan State University and later at the University of the District of Columbia. However, I began suffering from severe depression and anxiety throughout my early college years. I first recalled being inspired by music after watching Janet Jackson’s Pleasure Principle, which marked the first time I remember wanting to do anything related to music. To cope, I began writing about my experiences with depression and performing those songs at open mics around the DC area. Eventually, I started getting called to do gigs; the rest is history.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It certainly hasn’t been easy. I learned a lot of things the hard way. Being an independent artist with a mental illness already has its challenges, but I’ve never been shy about it. This is a difficult business. Make no mistake about it. It could be hard for anyone. Trying to navigate this new age where you have to be so many things at once adds more weight. I’ve often had to remind myself of why I wanted to do this in the first place. But it’s hard when you start so young, and your motivations are so simple, but then you grow up, the world becomes more complex, and you realize that it’s more than just singing and playing. There’s a business that you have to know. There are cautions you must be aware of, friends you must make, or even some you lose. It’s hard getting used to that, and sometimes I want to say forget it and move on to something else. But I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s so much a part of me that I don’t think I can imagine doing something else, nor do I think I want to.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a songwriter, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist. You could say I’m a bit genre-less because I like to experiment will all sorts of genres and sounds. I’m big into hip hop and neo-soul, which are most prominent in my music. But you know, I like everything, so they all kind of poke out in different ways. A lot of people know me for my performances, I guess. I used to be much rawer when I was younger, and on the scene, so folks used to know me for that. I’m almost very passionate about issues in my community and can be very outspoken, although people who know me know I’m very shy. But if it’s something I’m passionate about or gets my wheels turning, I can have quite a bit to say. I’m most proud of sticking to my sound, no matter what. I’m very inspired by Prince and how he created his own sound regardless of the popular vibe of the time. I feel like no matter what, I’ve never folded on being myself, so I have a lot of dignity.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My grandfather is a musician, and he played in a few bands, one being a band called Choice of Colour. His name is Ron Henderson; He was a great writer. I like his music. I’ve been told some cool stories about his life as a musician. But I like to keep that in the family. So yeah, it runs in the family.
Contact Info:
- Website: jennacamille.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennacamillesmg/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFr0NqYcqDw
Image Credits
Kevin Chambers Taliah Broyard Jenna Henderson
