Elvis Blue
Elvis Blue in 2014
Elvis Blue in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJan Adriaan Hoogendyk
BornJohannesburg, South Africa
GenresPop, adult contemporary
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, piano
Years active2000–present
LabelsUniversal Music, Coleske Artists
Websiteelvisblue.co.za

Jan Adriaan Hoogendyk, known professionally as Elvis Blue, is a South African musician and songwriter.

Early life

Jan Hoogendyk was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hoogendyk is a self-taught musician, teaching himself to play the guitar at the age of 16.[1] During his adolescent years, he started writing his own music and gained experience as a busker on the streets of Johannesburg.[2] During high school, he played in several bands but chose to broaden his experience overseas, busking in London and Scotland.[2]

Musical education

Hoogendyk's mother, a classical piano teacher,[3] provided him with exposure to classical music throughout his childhood.

When he returned to South Africa, he undertook formal music studies, focusing on piano, guitar, singing and songwriting.[2]

Career

In 2010, Hoogendyk participated in Idols South Africa (season 6). He won the competition with 64% of the votes and shared his prize money with runner-up Lloyd Cele.[4] Elvis is one of the most popular performing artists in South Africa, as well as the only Idols winner to ever had a platinum album. Elvis also holds the record for the most SAMA wins by an Idols winner. [5]

Albums

Hoogendyk recorded five albums before winning Idols South Africa. Under the name Mono, Elvis recorded 3 albums, and then under the name Jan Hoogendyk, another two, one of which - Diep Riviere - won an ATKV Lier Toekening award and another - Ontskemer - received a South African Music Awards nomination.[6][7][8]

Elvis Blue

Elvis Blue was released in November 2010 and received Gold status 29 days after its release,[9] going platinum in 2011, making him the first ever Idols winner to have a platinum album.[2][10] The album features a duet with Lloyd Cele called 'Little Hero'.[11]

Elvis Blue performing in 2014

Recording began straight after Hoogendyk won Idols South Africa, and was produced by Brian O'Shea, Crighton Goodwill and Jake Odendaal who are all South African Music Awards Producer of the Year Award winners.[12]

The album combines original songs by Hoogendyk with those of other songwriters.

In April 2012, the double-disc special edition release of Elvis Blue won the SAMA for Best Adult Contemporary Album.[13]

Journey

Elvis Blue at K-Day 2012

Hoogendyk travelled to America to co-write new material for Journey with Jeff Franzel, Richard Harris and Pam Sheyne who together composed the hit single, 'Lifeline'.[14]

Journey (Gold status) was nominated for SAMAS for "Song of the Year, "Best Adult Contemporary Album of the Year" and "Best Male Artist of the Year" and walked away with the laurels as "Best Adult Contemporary Album of the Year”.[15]

Afrikaans

Hoogendyks first album in his mother tongue, aptly named, Afrikaans, debuted on the iTunes store chart at #3, making him the first Afrikaans artist to reach this sought after top 10 Ranking.[16]

Elvis Blue performing in 2014

2014: Afrikaans attained platinum status a mere 2 months after release.[17]

'Seëngebed' (translated from Afrikaans as 'blessing prayer') is Hoogendyk's Afrikaans rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, South Africa's national anthem, and was performed with Afrikaans singer, Coenie de Villiers.

This album went on to win a SAMA for the "Best Afrikaans Adult Contemporary Album" and the album also received a Huisgenoot Tempo award for "Best Contemporary Album" of 2014.[18][19]

Optics

In 2015 Hoogendyk released the album, Optics which was nominated in the SAMA Best Adult Contemporary category.[20] This album also garnered Hoogendyk awards from both Bok Radio and OFM.

Êrens In Die Middel van Nêrens

2016 the album Erens in die middel van Nêrens (Platinum status) won the SAMA for the "Best Afrikaans Adult Contemporary Album".[21] Erens in die middel van Nêrens was also nominated for 7 Ghoema Music Awards that year and walked away with "Album of the Year", "Male Artist of the Year", "Best Music Video" for Die Hemel, "Best Songwriter", "Best Contemporary Album by a Male Artist”, and “Ringtone of the Year” for Die Hemel, which has been downloaded over 280,000 times.[22] The album also wins a Huisgenoot Tempo Award for "Album of the Year" in 2016 and in the same year, Elvis and Laurika Rauch's DVD, Hart en See, won a Ghoema for best Live DVD as well as a Huisgenoot Tempo award for "Top Selling DVD of the Year".

Die Brug

n 2017 the album Die Brug was nominated for 7 Ghoemas, in the categories "Best Composition of the Year" for Die Brug, "Best Composition of the Year" for Elke Hart, "Best Composition of the Year" for Werner, "Best Contemporary Album by a Male Artist”, “Best Song Writer”, and “Best Producer in a Group”. Hoogendyk won in the category "Best Composition of the Year" for Die Brug. Die Brug also won a Western Cape Bokkie for "Album of the Year".

Stories

In 2018, Hoogendyk released the album Stories, for which he received a Ghoema Music Award in 2019 together with Floors Oosthuizen in the category "Best Producers in Collaboration". Stories was also nominated by the Western Cape Bokkies for "Song of the Year" for Hartklop van ‘n Pa as well as "Album of the Year" and "Artist of the Year".

Jou Huis

In 2019 Hoogendyk releases the album Jou Huis, featuring a title track duet with the late Theuns Jordaan. The album was nominated for a SAMA in the "Best Contemporary Music" category as well as a Western Cape Bokkie for "Male Artist of the Year".

Goud in die Vuur

This 2022 album was nominated for 4 Aitsa Musiek Toekenning, namely "Listening Song of the Year" - Goud in die Vuur, Songwriter of the Year" – Meer as Genoeg, "Songwriter of the Year" - Goud in die Vuur, "Artist of the Year" and " Song of the Year" – Dis wie ek wil wees, and walks away as winner of "Songwriter of the Year" for Meer as Genoeg [23]

Community upliftment

Elvis Blue at Paul Cluver Amphitheatre 2013

Hoogendyk has supported a variety of community upliftment projects in South Africa over the course of his career.

Elvis Blue at the All Star Theater 2014
Elvis Blue at Paul Cluver Amphitheatre 2013

Awards

List of awards and nominations received by Elvis Blue
Year Event Prize Nominated work Result Ref
2016 5th Annual Ghoema Awards Best Contemporary Album by Male Artist Êrens in die middel van nêrens Won [27]
Male Artist of the Year Êrens in die middel van nêrens Won [27]
Music Video of the Year Die hemel Won [27]
Music Video of the Year Êrens in die middel van nêrens Nominated [27]
Song of the Year Die hemel Nominated [27]
Songwriter of the Year Êrens in die middel van nêrens Won [27]
Live DVD of the Year Hart & see Won [27]
2015 5th Annual Bok Radio Awards (Bokkies) Album of the Year Êrens in die middel van nêrens Nominated [28]
Male Artist of the Year Êrens in die middel van nêrens Nominated [28]
Song of the Year Die Hemel Won [28]
Music Video of the Year Shine Nominated [28]
2014 Huisgenoot Tempo Awards Contemporary Album of the Year Afrikaans Won [29]
Song of the Year Rede om te glo Nominated [29]
Music Video of the Year Rede om te glo Nominated [29]
3rd Annual Ghoema Awards Album of the Year Afrikaans Won [27]
Male Artist of the Year Afrikaans Won [27]
Song of the Year Rede om te glo Nominated [27]
Best Contemporary Album by Male Artist Afrikaans Nominated [27]
Songwriter of the Year Afrikaans Nominated [27]
20th Annual South African Music Awards Best Afrikaans Adult Contemporary Album Afrikaans Won [30]
2013 19th Annual South African Music Awards Best Adult Contemporary Album Journey Won [31]
Male Artist of the Year Journey Nominated [32]
MTN SAMA Record of the Year Lifeline Nominated [32]
2012 18th Annual South African Music Awards Best Adult Contemporary Album Elvis Blue Special Ed Won [33]
MTN SAMA Record of the Year Lighthouse Nominated [34]

Other Awards

Discography

Singles

Albums

2010: Elvis Blue

Track Listing

2012: Journey

Track Listing

2013: Afrikaans

Track Listing

Gallery

References

  1. ^ "Elvis Blue". afternoonexpress.co.za. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Elvis Blue – reaching dizzy heights but staying grounded". ShowMe East London. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Elvis Blue (Idols) Interview | MyCityByNight". mycitybynight.co.za. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  4. ^ Pantsi, Nandipha. "Lloyd Cele opens up about his life". The Citizen. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  5. ^ McEwan, Christina (8 December 2015). ""Holiday Pops with Idol Elvis Blue"". IOL.
  6. ^ "Living The Dream - South Magazine". South Magazine. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  7. ^ "The Barnyard Theatre - ELVIS BLUE AFRIKAANSE ALBUM". www.barnyardtheatre.co.za. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  8. ^ "George contestant in Idols Top 100". George Herald. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Elvis Blue turns gold". Channel24. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Elvis Blue goes platinum". Life. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Little Hero (Duet with L'Loyd) (Testo) - Elvis Blue - MTV Testi e canzoni". MTV Testi e Canzoni (in Italian). Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Elvis Blue Biography, Discography, Chart History". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  13. ^ "All the 2014 Sama winners". News24. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Elvis Blue Releases New Single 'Lifeline' - Love SA Music". Love SA Music. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Elvis Blue wins Best Adult Contemporary Album at SAMA 19 – The Gremlin". www.thegremlin.co.za. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  16. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/afrikaans/id708477510?ign-mpt=uo%3D4: iTunes debut
  17. ^ "Elvis Blue se goeie nuus!". www.netwerk24.com. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Here are all the 2014 Sama winners". Life. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  19. ^ Digitaal, Huisgenoot. "Wenners van 2014 se Tempo-toekennings". Huisgenoot (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  20. ^ "2017 Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominee : Elvis Blue – Optics". samusicawards.co.za. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Here are all the 2016 Sama winners". Life. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  22. ^ OFM. "Ghoema-musiekpryse 2016 se wenners". OFM. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  23. ^ Not listed, Not listed (25 August 2022). "Aitsa2 2022: So lyk die benoemings". Maroela Media.
  24. ^ "Three-Day Cycle Tour Of Hope - RoadCover". RoadCover. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  25. ^ a b "Elvis Blue (Idols) Interview | MyCityByNight". mycitybynight.co.za. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  26. ^ "First graduates from Elvis Blue Music Academy to be honoured". Media Update. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l http://www.ghoema.co.za/article/view/stem Ghoema Nominations
  28. ^ a b c d "Home". bokradio.co.za.
  29. ^ a b c "Media, Marketing, Publicity and Social Media News".
  30. ^ http://www.kfm.co.za/articles/sama-2014---all-the-winners Archived 29 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine SAMA 2014 winners
  31. ^ Elvis Blue Wins 2nd SAMA
  32. ^ a b "Elvis Blue's triple SAMA Nominations". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  33. ^ Elvis Blue wins SAMA
  34. ^ 2012 SAMA nominations
  35. ^ "Wawela Music Awards - Winners". wawelamusicawards.co.za. Retrieved 17 October 2023.

External links

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