Efeoghene Alloh, popularly known as Efe Jazz, is a 21-year old Nigerian producer and guitarist, who hails from Delta State. Since his childhood days, Efe has indulged in playing the guitar. His love for the art manifested as a hobby, morphing into a professional act, with which he now strives to carve a niche for himself in the industry. Efe has stamped his readiness to take the industry by storm, having worked with notable acts, such as Adekunle Gold, Odunsi the Engine, Lady Donli—and recently, DJ Cuppy and Patoranking. He hints at a project release before the year runs out, alongside an extended playlist in the works, which should grace the music scene in early 2021.
49th Street: How did you come up with your stage name “EfeJazz” ?
Efe Jazz: I came up with the name in 2013, I was just finishing junior school at that time, and at that period of my life I really loved listening to smooth jazz, particularly legendary guitarists like George Benson, Norman brown and the name just stuck with me ever since.
49th Street: What genre would you classify your music as?
Efe Jazz: My music cannot be defined as a particular genre and this is because as a fusion recording guitarist, I get to work with different artists with different sounds. For example, I played on an alternative record like Odunsi the engine’s star signs and I still played on a street hop tune like Zlatans Bolanle, this shows my range and versatility.
49th Street: At what age did you learn how to play the guitar?
Efe Jazz: I learnt to play when I was 10 years old.
49th Street: Interesting. What is music to you?
Efe Jazz: Music is a feeling. I try to plant my current feeling into whatever song I’m playing on. The melodies I play are always intentional and are a reflection of my current mood.
49th Street: What’s your inspiration to keep making music?
Efe Jazz: Playing, creating or listening to music gives me joy , so that alone is enough inspiration.
49th Street: What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
Efe Jazz: Initially when I started to play the guitar, it was really just for fun, but after a while I discovered that I could actually make a career out of it.
49th Street: Tell us a little about your creative process, how do you make such beautiful sounds?
Efe Jazz: Firstly, I try to offload my mind of any worries, then listen to the beat indepthly and play what comes to my mind. Although its not so easy, I must admit that I do have creative blocks once in a while.
49th Street: You have been playing actively for 5 years now, silently killing it behind the scenes, how has the experience been for you?
Efe Jazz: There has been ups and downs but I see it as a journey in which the destination is unknown. I never believed I will have so many hit records in my guitar tracking catalogue at this point in time, so it has been nothing but growth .
49th Street: What’s up with Efe Jazz and the Dream Band? What’s the story behind it and are you guys still functioning actively?
Efe Jazz: At the moment the band is not active because I was in school and other reasons like relocation of some members. I am currently rebranding and will unveil my new band soon.
49th Street: Having played for Adekunle Gold, Odunsi the Engine, Lady Donli and recently DJ Cuppy and Patoranking, what has been your top 5 moments with these acts?
Efe Jazz: It’s quite hard to pick, but meeting Juls and working with him
during his first visit to Nigeria is one I’ll never forget. Creating melodies on Odunsi’s star signs was also a remarkable moment for me.
49th Street: Challenges you face in the music industry?
Efe Jazz: The challenges an instrumentalist faces in the industry are enormous, due to lack of structure. Instrumentalists are not valued and many times are not given their due credits for their contributions to works, denied of partaking in the splits many at times. Guitarists like me had to learn the hard way, which has given me a tough skin, going far lengths to protect my intellectual property.
49th Street: What do you love the most about your sound?
Efe Jazz: I love the fact that my sound is not stuck to a particular genre or style. It is dynamic.
49th Street: Who do you look up to in the industry?
Efe Jazz: I look up to people like Fiokee, Wizkid, Spax Classic and Asa.
49th Street: Who do you hope to work with soon?
Efe Jazz: I really hope to work with Wizkid soon. His style, the unique ways he delivers his melodies have influenced my playing.
49th Street: Are we to expect a project soon?
Efe Jazz: My extended playlist is almost done and should be ready early next year, meanwhile I’ll be kicking off something else before this year runs out.
49th Street: What kind of impact will you like to have in the industry when it comes to an end?
Efe Jazz: I want to leave my footprints in the industry as a game changer with works that are timeless.
49th Street: What else do you have passion for besides music?
Efe Jazz: Reading. I really enjoy reading, especially biographies, they inspire me a lot.
49th Street: What advice would you give someone aspiring to walk a similar path?
Efe jazz: It’s not always going to be easy, always think about the future. Remember that, “na person wey no de stop for road, na him de reach destination.”
