SARASOTA – “We can all connect with lyrics, we can all connect to a simple beat,” said Jenny Townsend.
It’s been a journey five years in the making for Jennifer Msumba. The multi-instrumental artist has faced adversity her whole life.
She was diagnosed with autism from an early age that caused her to be bullied growing up. But discovering music allowed her to express herself in ways she never thought possible.
“I can see all the things I’m capable of, and I don’t doubt myself so much anymore,” said Msumba.
Msumba remained on lockdown for seven months at the residential facility she lives in. She says the time spent isolated from her friends and the Music Compound led her to be forced to find an alternative outlet for her anxiety.
“I just started writing, kind of coming from me. I guess because I was more quiet, and not always drift in a different direction,” she said.
She performed her debut album to a limited live crowd at the place she started her journey five years ago.
Townsend , owner of the Music Compound, says seeing Msumba’s growth makes her proud of the artist she’s become and being able to rely on music to express herself.
“Jen has done an amazon job in with growth during this time of the pandemic and just being locked up inside like many of us,” said Townsend. “People wrote great songs about this pandemic and just being lonely and being own their own.”
The concert was limited to only 10 performing artist and only two guests; others got experience the live concert from social media. The concert broadcasting to close to 900 viewers on Facebook. “
“The fact that people have the Music Compound to share that stage with and share that music has been really beneficial to them and the audience,” said Townsend.
Msumba was able to write enough to produce 10 songs. Her album titled “Music Saved Me” appropriately tells the story of her personal growth and evolution as an artist.
“It makes me cry sometimes when I sing it because it’s telling the story oh how I came from being bullied, and hating myself to a life where so many people love and care about me,” said Msumba. “And growing confidence to get out there.”
Msumba’s album is available on her YouTube page and can be streamed on Spotify. She plans to branch out to film making next.
