Jonathan Leong

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jonathan Leong, 梁偉鑛


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jonathan Ken Leong, 梁偉鑛
Alias = Jon Leong
Born = birth date |1982|June|2
Origin = Singapore
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Genre = Rock, Pop, Alternative rock
Occupation = Singer, Songwriter
Years_active = 2003- present
Label = Hype Records
URL = http://www.jonathanleong.net/, http://hyperecords.com/

Jon Leong, 梁偉鑛, (pronounced Liang Wei Kuang) (Born Jonathan Ken Leong, 2nd June 1982) is a Singaporean Singer and Songwriter. He is most well known for being the 1st runner up in the second season of Singapore Idol, a franchise of the popular Pop Idol series. Since then he has signed a management deal with Artiste Networks and has joined Hype records, a record label owned by famed Singaporean producer, Ken Lim who was also chief judge on Singapore Idol. He is currently working on his debut solo album.

Biography

Born and raised in Singapore, Leong attended school at Nan Hua Primary School, St. Joseph's Institution, Serangoon Junior College and graduated in 2007 from The National University of Singapore with a degree in Political Science. He was very active in sports, notably fencing in his school days. He won many fencing competitions and was part of the Singapore national team. During his mandatory national service term, he was drafted in the Commando unit of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Early Music Career

Trained in classical piano from an early age he developed a deep love with playing music. His first experience on the stage was when he won a school mandarin singing contest at the age of 15 and performed at a school concert as a result. Towards the end of his mandatory national service term, he formed a band with other members of his unit as a new hobby. He took the job of lead singer in the cover band, Reverie which they later formed in 2004.

Leong and Reverie played the local band, pub and club scene as a part time job while attending university. The band was reasonably successful and they were often invited to play events, the most notable being FHM Singapore's Girl next door competition finals and various university parties alongside other band acts.

Influences

Coming from a musical family (Leong's father used to play in a small local band), it was no surprise that he developed an interest in music from a young age, the rocker cites his early influences to be mainstream pop music, classic rock, heavy metal and more recently, hard rock and Indie rock.

Starting Solo

Leong branched out as a solo Singer with performances at various fashion events such as DKNY's store launch at Palais renaissance, an upmarket shopping arcade, The Takashimaya Singapore Retailer's show, The New Paper New Face pageant finals and as a guest performer at the Concert in the park held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 2005.

ingapore Idol

Auditioning for the popular reality series among thousands and eventually reaching the finals held at the Singapore indoor Stadium of the television show with eventual winner, Hady Mirza is Leong's claim to fame. The show put Leong on the local map and made him one of the most recognizable faces and voices in the local entertainment scene [http://5.mediacorptv.sg/wassup/interviews/view/748/1/.html] . It did not come as a surprise when Leong was offered a record deal (from chief Singapore idol judge, Ken Lim) a year later, the chief judge was remembered to have said on air (after the announcement of the final results) that Leong had what it took to "be a regional star, anytime." [ [http://www.singaporeidol.com/scoops_270906.htm Singapore Idol™ 2006 ] ] . During the competition he garnered a huge local fanbase, selfnamed the Jonatics. They have since set up his official fansite and forum.

Music career

Apart from hosting a local holiday special series produced by Mediacorp named Wish upon a star alongside Hady Mirza and Gurmit Singh to fufill contractual obligations. Leong has since performed at many events including the Miss Singapore Universe in 2007, Countdown 2007, The President's star charity 2007 and Love is in the air, a jazz concert where he sang together with noted Singaporean jazz diva Jacintha Abisheganaden in february 2008.

In November 2007, Leong put his vocals on a mandarin single, "情牵二十五" to commemorate Mediacorp's twenty five years of chinese drama serials on Channel 8. The single was put on an album compilation of the same title.His solo album has yet to be released.

Awards

* Voted as Dude of the Year 2006 in "The Flame Awards", organised by The New Paper
* Voted as Best Hunk 2006 in Mediacorp's Channel 5 Fame Awards

Endorsements

* Motorola Singapore (RED) Campaign Ambassador

References

1. Heads up on Jon, [http://5.mediacorptv.sg/wassup/interviews/view/748/1/.html]

2. Jon's not blue, [http://www.singaporeidol.com/scoops_270906.htm]

References

External links

*http://www.jonathanleong.net/
*http://www.hyperecords.com/
*http://www.singaporeidol.com/
*http://reverietheband.com/