Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Jolia.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For me, music is something that’s been a part of what makes me who I am long before I was born. I come from a musical family; my maternal grandparents played various instruments; my paternal grandmother and her siblings were in a gospel music group in Detroit. Both of my parents have always enjoyed listening to a variety of genres of music, so much so that my Dad decided to regularly put headphones on my Mom’s stomach while she was carrying me, exposing me to everything from Classical to Pop music while I was still developing. By the time I was a year old, I was playing with dolls and making them sing to each other in operatic voices (this is my Mom’s favorite story to tell). Since then, my love and passion for music has only grown. I think my first instrument, as is probably the case for many others, was the recorder. You know, the flute-like instrument that comes with sheet music from movies like Frozen. I didn’t really choose the instrument, as it was a requirement in school, but I quickly grew fond of it and soon realized that I could play by ear. This made listening to the radio in the car really fun because I could play along to my favorite songs.
Over the next few years, I went on to add alto and tenor saxophone, bass and contrabass clarinet, keys and percussion to the list of instruments that I played. I competed in Jazz, Pep and Symphonic band in high school and sang Soprano I in Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble. In my senior year, I auditioned for music scholarships to various colleges and universities and was accepted to Berklee College of Music, Oklahoma Christian University, and Michigan State University. Ultimately, I chose to study Classical Vocal Performance at Oklahoma Christian University where I went on to perform in various productions, including “Oklahoma!” and “Porgy and Bess”. After college, I wasn’t entirely certain of what type of career I wanted to pursue in music. Although I enjoyed singing classical music, I couldn’t quite see myself committing the duration of my career to performing as a member of an opera company. I wanted more freedom and flexibility and certainly didn’t want to be limited to a single genre. So for several years, I tried a bit of everything else I could think of. I performed in various cover bands, taught voice lessons and performance classes, interned at two radio stations, and did occasional session work. And while I could say that I “enjoyed” what I was doing, I just didn’t feel the passion and excitement that I longed for. It was at that point that I decided to move to Los Angeles and explore new opportunities.
Within my first week of moving to LA, very thankfully, I was booked as a background vocalist and picked up by a talent agency. Some of the notable names I’ve now had the pleasure of working with include Rita Ora, Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea, The Chainsmokers, Johnny Gill, my now dear friend Eric Benet and many more. I really enjoyed all levels of touring, from arenas to intimate venues and having the opportunity to work with so many talented people in various capacities really inspired me to begin to create music of my own. So, I began shift directions in a manner that would allow me to position myself to one day share my music with the world too. That brings us to the current date, in which I can proudly say that I am the owner of Dekada Records, an independent record label. My first single “Sometimes” was featured in the motion picture “Sister Code” and has since accumulated over 1 million streams. I’ve received recognition and various awards for my achievements in songwriting, having written and produced numerous songs for myself and for others. Now, I am very eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead as I continue my pursuits in music business and entertainment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Not by a long shot. I think navigating through life lends its ups and downs, deliberately so, because the obstacles and challenges we overcome are what build our character, strength and tenacity. I’ve dealt with death, illness, mental and financial stress, but my faith in God has always carried me through. Yes, some moments were more difficult than others and some were truly hard lessons that I learned the very hard way. But if I could take an easier path, I wouldn’t. Everything I’ve experienced, great, terrible and in between, has made me the person I am today and continues to inspire the music that I create.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Jessica Jolia is a businesswoman, artist, songwriter, producer and humanitarian. I truly enjoy all the work that I do, but I’d have to say that creating vocal arrangements and vocal production are two of my most favorite things. I always look forward to that type of work because it allows me to be extremely creative. Anyone who listens to my recordings or has performed with me knows that anything “Jessica Jolia” is going to be filled with lots of vocal coloring. Most of my projects include 20-25 vocal tracks, minimum, and I think that’s my signature. What I’m most proud of is the constant effort I put into utilizing my gifts, talents and resources to help others through music and otherwise. I appreciate everyone who enjoys my music, but at the end of the day, I know that what I do is and will always be so much bigger than me.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I think it’s safe to say that 2020 did not go the way any of us expected it to. The pandemic has truly impacted everyone in so many different ways, but I can honestly say that much of what I’ve experienced has actually been good for me. Firstly, I’ve spent more time with my family this year than I’ve been able to over the last several years, due to work, touring and etc. Secondly, I’ve had so much more control and flexibility with regard to my schedule. I’ve been able to exercise more (roller skating is my thing), read more, cook more, and pour more into my businesses as well. I think the most exciting thing has been to see how much music I’ve been able to write and record, both for me and for others. Without the pressure of having to complete a certain amount of work within a certain amount of time (for either budgetary or scheduling purposes), I’ve just felt so much more inspired and free. I recently released two singles, “On A Break” (produced by Datboi Awwsome) and “In The Water” (produced by Ben Bladz), and will be releasing another single in a few weeks titled “Hold Me Close” (produced by Dizzy Wolfe). I definitely can say that I’ve found new ways to stay creative and creating, so I think the biggest lesson for me is that no matter what’s going on in the world around us, I still have the ability and responsibility to make the most of my time each and every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.jessicajoliamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicajolia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicajolia
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jessicajolia
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/jessicajolia
- Other: https://www.linktr.ee/jessicajolia
Image Credits
Mario Lopez Photography, Marques Washington, Eric Anthony, Diana Thomas
