Duncan Sheik | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Duncan Sheik |
Born |
Montclair, New Jersey, United States |
November 18, 1969
Genres | Rock, pop, alternative rock, acoustic rock, pop rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, composer |
Instruments | Guitar, piano, vocals, electronics |
Years active | 1993-present |
Labels | Atlantic, Nonesuch, Elektra, Zoë, Rounder, Universal, Rhino Entertainment |
Website | duncansheik |
Awards | ||
Grammy Awards | ||
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2008 |
Best Musical Show Album Spring Awakening |
|
Tony Awards | ||
2007 |
Best Orchestrations Spring Awakening |
|
2007 |
Best Original Score Spring Awakening |
Duncan Sheik (born November 18, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter and composer. Initially finding success as a singer, most notably for his 1996 debut single "Barely Breathing", he later expanded to compositions for motion pictures and the Broadway stage, such as the successful musical, Spring Awakening, where he won multiple Tonys and a Grammy. Sheik practices Nichiren Buddhism and is a member of the US branch of the worldwide Buddhist association Soka Gakkai International.
After being raised by both his parents in Montclair, New Jersey and his grandparents in Hilton Head, South Carolina (of whom his Juilliard-trained grandmother taught him piano), and after graduating from Phillips Academy, Andover in 1988, Sheik studied semiotics at Brown University, and moved to Los Angeles. Playing for other artists, including Liz and Lisa (with Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell), Sheik also played on His Boy Elroy's 1993 album through his connections from fellow Brown alum, Tracee Ellis Ross. He is the half brother of Broadway actress Kacie Sheik.
In 1996, Sheik released his self-titled debut album, which was certified Gold and spawned the #16 peaking hit single, "Barely Breathing", which itself remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-setting 55 consecutive weeks. The popular track also enjoyed Top 20 success on Adult Contemporary radio and topped the Adult Top 40 charts. The song garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.