Elvis Blue
| Elvis Blue | |
|---|---|
Elvis Blue in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jan Adriaan Hoogendyk |
| Born |
28 December 1979 Linden, Johannesburg |
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | Pop, adult contemporary |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, piano |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Universal Music |
| Website | elvisblue |
Elvis Blue (born Jan Hoogendyk; 28 December 1979) is a platinum selling South African musician and songwriter.
Elvis Blue was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. His passion for music was already evident in his childhood when he listened to his mother’s cassettes on his Walkman until the batteries gave up the ghost. After failing miserably as a waiter he started creating music when he was 16 years old. He bought a guitar and learned to play off the internet. Singing on the streets of Johannesburg (busking) for pocket money through high school was also a great way to raise money for overseas adventures. In his school years he played in several bands. He matriculated from Linden High school and travelled overseas, busking on the streets of London and Scotland.
On his return, he studied contemporary music at Allenby Campus. He focused on piano, guitar, singing and songwriting. He recorded his first CD in 2001. Since then Elvis has performed alongside, and collaborated with, many well known South African artists such as Just Ginger, Karen Zoid, Heinz Winkler, Tree 63, Coenie de Villiers and John Ellis. He has recorded and released 7 albums of which 2 reached Platinum status. Two of those albums were recorded using the name "Mono". Mono was also signed to Gallo record company and the Album "Mono in stereo" was recorded and released in 2003. Elvis has also recorded two Afrikaans albums using his real name "Jan Hoogendyk"; "Diep Riviere" in 2006 and "Ontskemer" in 2009. "Ontskemer" was nominated for 2010 SAMA (South African Music Award) in the category "Best Gospel Album" and "Diep Rivier" received an"ATKV Lier" award in 2007.
In 2010, Elvis Blue took part in 6th season of the reality show, Idols South Africa and was announced winner during the final held on 2 November 2010. He won with 64% of the votes. Elvis made Idols history by sharing his winnings with runner up Lloyd Cele. His cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, which he performed during the Finals was also included on his debut album.
Elvis' self-titled album Elvis Blue was released in November 2010. It immediately shot up the charts and received gold status 28 days after its release. The album went platinum in 2011. Universal Music South Africa stated that Elvis is the first South African Idols winner to have ever released a platinum-selling debut album.
The album features the hit singles "Things my Father said" (Originally written and performed by Black Stone Cherry {Folklore and Superstition, Album} blackstonecherry.com ), "Lighthouse", "Save Me" and "Right here, Right now", as well as songs written for his wife – "Dangerous", "Lately", "Believe", "Lover" and "Lightly Tread" – and his daughter "You". It also features the song "Little Friend", a duet with Idols runner-up L'loyd Cele.
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