Jane Zhang Covers “Marie Claire”

Source: Xinhua

Jane Zhang set for Asian tour

Jane Zhang has released her first live album, Listen to Jane Z Live, and will kick off her Asian tour starting in Singapore on Sept 15 and 16. The singer explains the album, which will be a main part of the upcoming gigs, was of particular significance to her because she feels it’s a reflection of how far she has come after being in the business for so long.  (Source: China Daily)

Jane Zhang – Listen to Jane Z Live

Chinese singer Jane Zhang recently released her first live album Listen to Jane Z Live where she challenged her vocals to perform and record the album in a one-take formula.

English song ‘I Didn’t Know’ is an exceptional enjoyment to listen to as the singer pours all her emotions in the song, singing about a lost foolish love (I didn’t know / That you’d turn around and hurt me baby / Leave me alone / You threw it all away, so you and I will be).

Follow-up track ‘Hao Bu Rong Yi’ seems apt as the next song choice as it tells a story of a lost love before reminiscing sets in and remembering how difficult it is to forget all the happy times spent together (It’s easy for you to say ‘who’d remember’, ‘who’d hurt’ / I try to imitate your nonchalance / My life has to go on / It’s not easy).

Jane’s covers of classic oldies such as ‘Meng Tian’, ‘Qiu Yi Nong’ and ‘Nan Hai Gu Niang’ takes listeners away from the songs’ era with the new rearrangement of the songs, giving them a modern feel.

Packed with a total of 12 covers and original songs, weaving in three instrumentals in the album, Jane proves her almost impeccable vocals, letting fans look forward to her solo concert in Singapore this September.

Source: Xinmsn by Joelle Chong

Jane Zhang Promotes New Live Album

Jane Zhang promotes new album “Listen to Jane Z Live”  This is Jane Zhang’s first live album that was released 4 June 2012. (Source: Xinhua)

Jane Zhang Promotes New Live Album

Jane Zhang promotes new album “Listen to Jane Z Live”  This is Jane Zhang’s first live album that was released 4 June 2012. (Source: Xinhua)

Jane ‘Dolphin Voice’ Zhang loves playing live

In May, 80 fans streamed into a live music venue on the outskirts of Beijing to see their idol Jane Zhang. The small room was packed, and the 27-year-old singer made two wardrobe changes and sang 15 songs. The recording of that session, Listen to Jane Z Live, has now been released.

“I was sweating. It was so nerve-racking,” Zhang says, in the office of her music company in Beijing. “However, I felt more excited than nervous.”

Zhang started rehearsing for the recording 11 days beforehand.

“It’s a live recording, so I didn’t have a second chance,” she says.

The album starts with Opening, as the audience welcomes Zhang onstage with cheers. She goes on to perform the classic English songs At Last and Sing in the Rain.

Zhang’s love for English songs also led to an original production – I Didn’t Know, which shows her wide vocal range.

Working with Taiwan producer Jim Lee, she combined classical music and pop rhythms, with piano and violin in Por Una Cabeza, a popular Argentine tango by Carlos Gardel.

The second half of the show saw her pay tribute to some established Mandarin pop stars by singing Jacky Cheung’s Autumn, Teresa Teng’s South Sea Girl and Chyi Yu’s Dreamland.

Zhang, who rose to fame after winning the 2005 Supergirl singing competition, is known for singing in various languages, such as English, French and Spanish, in addition to Mandarin.

She is also known for hitting the high notes, which is why she is known as “Dolphin Voice”. Zhang has been compared to Mariah Carey, whom she has admired since she was a teenager.

Her five studio albums and two EPs released since 2006 have all topped the Chinese music charts. She has also won best female singer awards over the past three years.

“I have been trying to sing in different styles because I want to find a style that belongs to (me),” she says. “I love music, but during the past seven years, I just wasn’t enjoying myself singing.”

She claims she couldn’t even look at herself in the mirror – when practicing – and felt awkward when dancing on stage.

Zhang, from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, says she had been planning the live album for some time.

Through it she rediscovered her joy of singing and the pleasure of expressing her own ideas.

“Jazz and rock are my favorite genres. I always wanted to have a hoarse voice,” she says, giggling. “This album contains lots of jazz and strong beats, which satisfied me.”

Por Una Cabeza, which was a song from Scent of a Woman, has been a Zhang favorite since she was at high school, and it has been interpreted accompanied by violin and piano.

Unlike her other albums, which required her to undertake serious planning and discussion beforehand, this time she gave herself a break and flew to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles Love.

Inspired, she called Lee in Taiwan.

“All of a sudden, I came up with an idea, and I sang to him on the phone,” Zhang says, laughing. “Working with Jim was very relaxing. We could chat on the phone about everything, gossiping and joking.”

Lee, who has been producing albums for more than 20 years, says: “The best thing about working with Jane was that I could feel her real love for singing.”

Jane Zhang at Closing Ceremony of the Shanghai Film Festival

Chinese pop singer Jane Zhang performing and on the red carpet in front of the Shanghai Grand Theater prior at the 15th Shanghai International Film Festival closing ceremony on Sunday. (Source: Xinhua)

Jane Zhang

Jane Zhang performing at music awards ceremony in Guangzhou on February 25, 2012. (Source: Xinhua)

Huang Yi, Jane Zhang, Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing

Huang Yi, Jane Zhang, Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing at “Star Citizen Award Ceremony” (Source: Xinhua Entertainment)

Jane Zhang Plays Shanghai

Jane Zhang’s “My Appearance” tour played at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on October 29 (Source: Xinhua)