- Jerome Xavier DuBois
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Jerome Xavier DuBois (Chinese: 杜杰; pinyin: dùjíe) is the first[citation needed] Canadian-born Taiwanese mandopop singer and songwriter. Like Aska Yang (Chinese: 楊宗緯) and Yoga Lin (Chinese: 林宥嘉), DuBois made his international debut on CTVs One Million Star (Chinese: 超級星光大道).
Contents
The early years
DuBois was born in Montreal, Quebec. He began writing his own music at age seven, and shortly after, began performing at Vancouver's Davie Street on weekends. While in elementary school, DuBois was invited to join the British Columbia Children's Honour Choir. In highscool he participated in drama and musical clubs.
Musical career
3rd Canadian Chinese Songwriter's Quest
In 1998 DuBois competed and won first place in both divisions at the 3rd Canadian Chinese Songwriter's Quest on Fairchild TV. He was the first caucasian to enter, and also the first mandarin song to ever win (previous years were all cantonese songs). At this point in time, DuBois was in the middle of his software engineering studies at the University of British Columbia and decided to complete his degree. DuBois's song Awake In The Dream (Chinese: 醒在夢裡), with lyrics written by long-time friend Johnny Chiang, was played over the Chinese radio stations Canada-wide and he appeared on Chinese television several times. He performed throughout the lower mainland at venues including the Michael J Fox theatre, the Plaza of Nations, and Stanley Park following Emil Chau 周華建.[1][2] Jerome published his first single in the CHKG World Music Spectacular '98 (collection) / (custom release from CHKG radio, Vancouver BC).[3] The song was recently used by Rick Steves on his radio show (Program 130: An American Travel Guide to China, Airdate: April 12, 2008).[4]
Dave Wang (Chinese:王傑)
After winning the national songwriting contest, celebrity singer and songwriter Dave Wang (Chinese: 王傑) contacted DuBois and became his mentor. Dave recorded his own version of DuBois's song Awake In The Dream (Chinese: 醒在夢裡), and used it as the theme song of his radio show on Fairchild Radio. Dave's version of DuBois's song is available online here: 王傑 醒在夢裡[5]
One Million Star
In 2008 DuBois became the first caucasian to qualify for Taiwan Television's hit show One Million Star (超級星光大道), an international singing contest similar to American Idol scouting talent from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and the USA.[6][7] Jerome competed under the Taiwan division, passing the 100 contestant elimination round with his performance of Jay Chow's Silence (Chinese: 安靜).[8] He continued on the show, receiving continued acclaim from the judges for his accuracy in Chinese pronunciation.[9] It was immediately apparent that his singing was honest, heartfelt and emotional.[10] At the top twenty elimination round, Jerome performed his song "一起過好" (music and lyrics both written by Jerome). The song was broadcasted internationally, marking his place in history as the first caucasian Taiwanese mandopop singer and songwriter. Despite his achievement, he received a low score of 12/25 for his performance, eliminating him from the show and subsequently causing internet fans to protest the decision to such an extent that the protests made the entertainment section of the national China Times newspaper.[11] Despite being eliminated from the show, Jerome relocated to Taipei vowing to continue writing music for his fans.[12][13] He is working on his next album release.[14][15][16]
References
- ^ (English) JXDMUSIC.COM JXDMUSIC.COM Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) MR6 Blog 星光三班的老外「杜杰」，10年前的自創曲誰有？ Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (English) World Music Spectacular 98 Fairchild Radio -- AM1470 FM96.1 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (English) Rick Steves Rick Steve's Europe: Travel with Rick Steves Show Descriptions Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) 王傑 醒在夢裡 王傑 醒在夢裡 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 星光3有一個外國人是誰??? Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 星光3參賽者資料 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yam Entertainment News 杜杰in渡邊哲也out January 28, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Taiwan News 「星光大道」被告白？阿咪老師大叫：「我不要！」 February 14, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 超級星光大道 February 19, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 星光三班的人選:賞盈希.杜杰.和曹景豪有進入決賽嗎? Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) China Times Showbiz 杜杰被淘汰 網友抱不平 熱愛華語音樂 將長住台北 March 10, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 關於星光三班淘汰的參賽者 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 杜杰在台灣哪裡演唱 March 19, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 星光3裡面的人有誰 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^ (Chinese) Yahoo Knowledge Taiwan 關於超級星光大道第三屆 Retrieved August 25, 2008.
External links
Categories:- Living people
- Musicians from Montreal
- Taiwanese Mandopop singers
- Canadian expatriates in Taiwan
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