Jane Zhang

Jane Zhang ( zh, c=张靓颖, p=Zhāng Liàngyǐng; born October 11, 1984) is a Chinese singer, songwriter and record producer. She is known for her signature use of the whistle register and has been dubbed the " Dolphin Princess" (). Zhang began performing as a teenager by singing in pubs to help earn money for her family. After signing with Huayi Brothers Media Corporation in 2005, Zhang released her first studio album, ''The One'' (2006). Her second album, ''Update'', was released in 2007. Zhang's third studio album, ''Jane@Music'', was released in 2009. Her fourth studio album, ''Believe in Jane'', which was certified double platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Jane performed in the 2017 Victoria's Secret Show and was featured in the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her single "Dust My Shoulders Off" topped iTunes 4th and 1st in music video. She was invited and attended the Grammy twice. She was the judge for the Montreal international film festival. She has 40 million followers on Weibo and won 7 times of China best female artist. Zhang released her first English-language studio album ''Past Progressive'' in 2019.

Zhang has received numerous awards, including nine Beijing Pop Music Awards for Best Female Singer, two China Gold Record Awards, and a MTV Europe Music Award. She has been included in the annual ''Forbes'' China celebrity lists from 2006 to 2013. In 2016, the Chengdu government estimated her annual output value at ¥1.1 billion ($160 million).

Early life

Zhāng Liàngyǐng, known popularly as Jane Zhang, was born in Chengdu, Sichuan, on October 11, 1984. She took the English name "Jane" when she was at school, stating in an interview that she had "always liked the novel ''Jane Eyre''" and paid homage to the novel in an EP. Her father, Zhang Huaqing (), was a long-distance truck driver whose work frequently took him away from home; her mother, Zhang Guiying (), was a department-store assistant during that time. Zhang noted in an interview that "her parents divorced early hough shedid not realize the secret until years later". At the age of 15, Zhang's father died and "her mother was laid off from her job", so Zhang sang at a public bar to help support the family, adding to the 100 yuan per month she received from her late father's family. She told an interviewer in 2007 that she "lived in a bar for 6 years".

Zhang entered Sichuan University Foreign Language College for undergraduate studies in 2003. She began her singing career by winning third place at the Chinese singing contest, '' Super Girl,'' in 2005, and signed with Huayi Music the following year.

Music career

2004–2009: Career beginnings, ''The One, Update and Jane@Music'', and soundtracks

In July 2004, Zhang won the "Chinese College Student Singer Competition", organized by Warner Music. In 2005 she won third place in the Chinese singing contest '' Super Girl''. Although she did not win the competition, her voice still won her a huge following. A number of recording companies began to contact Zhang. Zhang finally chose to sign with Huayi Brothers Company and Hurray Company. Among them, Huayi Brothers are responsible for Zhang's traditional recording productions and promotion, and Hurray Company is responsible for her digital music marketing and promotion. Zhang began preparations for her first EP, '' Jane, Love'', and the production team invited American musicians Denise Rich and Toby Gad to create singles for her. This EP has three songs, which were released in China on January 12, 2006. The EP has sold more than 500,000 copies in China.

In October 2006 Zhang sang the theme song "Only for Love" for the Chinese film '' The Banquet'', joining hands with composer Tan Dun and pianist Lang Lang. Her first studio album ''The One'' was released in October 2006. It sold more than a million copies in China. The album was produced by Americans Craig Williams and Reid Hyams.

Zhang's second studio album, '' Update'', was released in 2007 and contained R&B and jazz elements. It was a notable change from the Chinese pop genre that many expected from her. Promoted by the success of her pop single "We said", ''Update'' became one of the best-selling albums of 2007 in China. In 2008 she released a song with Andrea Bocelli—" One World, One Dream", which was used for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In May 2008, Zhang was invited to perform in Tokyo. As part of Chinese President Hu Jintao's "warm spring" tour of Japan, Zhang performed at the residence of Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda. China Daily commented that Zhang actively helped promote cultural understanding and friendship between the youth of both countries through her music.

Her trademark style is considered to be soft and heartbreaking love songs in songs prior to her third studio album, ''Jane@Music.'' Zhang has always been fascinated by live music and prefers singing live as opposed to recording in a studio. Jane@Music was released in January 2009 and includes more jazzy and faster songs. Subsequently, Zhang held a small concert at the Duo Music Exchange in Shibuya, Japan to promote the album. Zhang was invited to participate in ''The Oprah Winfrey Show to sing'' her album's title song "Celebrate" and " Impression of the West Lake" in front of an American audience.

2009–2015: ''Believe in Jane, Listen to Jane Z Live, The Seventh Sense'' and soundtracks

On November 2, 2009, Universal Music announced the signing of Zhang, at a press conference in Hong Kong. She stated she had no plans to further her career abroad and has focused on the Chinese market.

After signing with Universal Music Group in 2009, Zhang released her fourth studio album, ''Believe in Jane

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