Chris Cayzer

Chris Cayzer (born Christopher Ashley Luke Araneta Cayzer^[1] on 29 December 1986^[2]) is a Filipino-Australian soul, R&B and acoustic singer, actor, DJ and VJ. After deciding to switch from TV5 as an actor and performer he moved to the GMA Network. In 2012 he successfully auditioned for The X Factor Australia making it to the Top 6 in the Over 25 Category and Top 24 overall.

Biography

Family Background

Chris Cayzer was born Christopher Ashley Luke Araneta Cayzer on 29 December 1986 to Filipino parents Khristine Araneta and Alexander Cayzer.^[3] His mother is from Zamboanga and his father from Manila.^[4] He has an older sister, Patricia.^[5]

Cayzer was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia.^[4]

Early life

During his youth in Australia, Cayzer worked two jobs.^[6] He was a clerk at K-Mart, and at the same time held down a job as a post master in Australia's post office. These two taxing jobs prompted him to take a much needed vacation in the Philippines.^[6]

He travelled with his father to the country, both to relax and at the same time help out in their family business. Whilst in the country, he got an unexpected break in local show business, as an actor and recording artist.^[6]

After graduating from high school, Cayzer packed left Australia for the Philippines to continue his tertiary education there, as well as pursue his musical career.^[4]

Career

In 2006, Star Records decided to create sub-label NuGen Music, which supposedly services more sophisticated pop music.^[7] Cayzer became the first artist record under NuGen Music. In fact, it was Cayzer’s music that gave Star Records the idea of finally establishing a sub-label.

Cayzer names John Mayer and his Room for Squares album as his major musical influence.^[1] His other musical influences include Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, James Taylor and Kenny Rankin. Cayzer's father Reggie was a big fan of jazz artists like George Benson, Lee Ritenour and Kenny Rankin, who also influenced Cayzer's music.^[1] The result is an interesting blend of pop, folk, acoustic and jazz.

In the same year, he released his debut album. The first track off the record was "I Got You", which according to Cayzer is based on personal experience. Other songs in the album are "Holding Out", "All I Dream About", "Dream Away", "Midsummer Love Affair" and a remake of Lisa Loeb’s "Stay".^[7] As way of introducing Cayzer to the public, Star Records also had him contribute a track (a remake of Neocolours’ "Hold On") in the Gold Bituing Walang Ningning OST.^[7]

According to Cayzer, writing much of his own music boosts his confidence as an artist.^[1] He is also currently a host and performer of SOP on GMA Network.

In 2009 he was cast for prime time series on GMA Network called All My Life, co-starring with Kris Bernal and LJ Reyes.

Cayzer's second solo album entitled "You're the Only Thing" is due for release under the Warner Music Philippines label on August 29, 2009. The first single of the album is a self-composed Tagalog song called "Loko".

In 2010, Cayzer moved to the TV5 network.

In August 2012 Channel Seven in Australia aired an episode of The X Factor Australia season 4 in which Cayzer performed, he gained a yes from 3 out of the 4 judges allowing him to move onto bootcamp.

Filmography

Television