Ed Jatto Presents His Expose Live

This Day (Lagos)

16 September 2007
Posted to the web 17 September 2007

Nseobong Okon-Ekong
Lagos

He is known in the industry for his gentlemanly attributes; and because he allows his work to speak for him, his reputation remains uncluttered without controversies that often surround personalities in showbiz.

His fame is not just about the fact that he is one of the most sought after sound engineers who helped to move the world of Nigerian music in the late 70s and early 80s. Working for EMI (which has since transformed into Ivory Music) back then, he was instrumental to shaping the kind of music that came out of Nigeria. Besides working in the studio, he found time to express himself as a recording artiste. For that effort, Edward Isezuo Jatto, better known as, Ed Jatto has two albums to his credit. There is 'Love Explosion' and 'Love Edition'-both released on EMI label between 1982 and 1986.


The release of Love Edition set-off a string of life transforming events; the biggest of which was his decision to leave Nigeria for the United States of America. Getting a foothold in the US was very challenging, but having left Nigeria, he was determined to succeed. "I did what everybody else did, including working in the famous Kilimanjaro Night Club in Washington DC. I didn't do that for long before getting a break to be my own man". I established Riverdale Limited, a multi-media company.

Partly owing to his experiences in life, Jatto has decided not only to live for himself, but to live for others. He is convinced that one of the ways man can tap into Higher Consciousness is by being selfless. Today, scores of individuals owe the big break they got in life to Jatto's large heartedness. "I not a rich man, but I have financed foreign travels, helped people to settle down abroad, particularly in the US and given a lifeline to many here in Nigeria, since I returned in 2003. I have also had to give out my equipment to some broadcast stations to help them tide over stormy weather. I see the potential in these individuals and corporate organizations. If they were in another clime, I know they would have done better, because they are very hard working. The average Nigerian just needs a little encouragement to realize his dream. I am only too happy to help whenever I can. People are going through tough times in this country due to no fault of theirs".



While in the United States, Jatto took time out to study. He took various Digital Engineering courses at the Prince George's College in Maryland that familiarized him with the application and repairs of transmitters. He went to Howard University to get a first degree in Film and TV Production. Howard was good, for he not met and married his wife, Ayodola, a Nigerian born in the US who was studying Medicine. They have five children. They have five children. Jatto had two other children from his late wife before leaving Nigeria. The two children are in the College of Technology, Okene in Kogi state. He explained his decision to leave them in Nigeria for now. "They are still teenagers. If I allow them to go the US, they will get excited and may not be serious. When they finish their higher education, the opportunity is open to go to the US".

Life in the US was good to Jatto; and that is why he can afford to live in relative comfort since he came back in 2003. With a well-stacked recording studio and printing press at on Allen Avenue and a warehouse full of musical equipment at Ikorodu, Jatto lives on easy streets.

His current album exhibits the versatility in him. Titled Fuji Praise, it showcases Jatto giving some of the best fuji acts a run for their money with tight instrumentation and free-flowing delivery in praise of Jesus Christ. But the busiest enterprise engaging his attention now is Jatto Live, a talk show on Galaxy Television with a tilt towards entertainment. The programme de-emphasizes much music and allows artistes on the programme to tell their story. By asking probing questions, he succeeds in bringing out the inspirational side of these artistes; and this is a mighty lift to many upcoming artistes and members of the public.