Wing (singer)

Wing
Chinese name 曾咏韓
Pinyin Zēng Yǒnghán (Mandarin)
Jyutping Cang4 Wing6 Hon4 (Cantonese)
Birth name Wing Han Tsang
Origin Hong Kong
New Zealand
Born c. 1960 (age 56–57)
Occupation Singer
Genre(s) Various
Instrument(s) Vocals, electronic keyboard
Wing
Chinese 曾咏韓

Wing Han Tsang (Chinese: 曾咏韓; pinyin: Zēng Yǒnghán; b. 1960), popularly known simply as Wing, is a New Zealand singer of Chinese origin. She is known for her unique singing style, which has drawn comparisons to Florence Foster Jenkins.[1] She is an example of outsider music.

Career

Having taken up singing as a hobby after immigrating to New Zealand, Wing gained an audience by entertaining patients at nursing homes and hospitals in and around Auckland. This prompted suggestions that she release a CD; the result was a debut titled Phantom of the Opera, featuring the title song from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and a selection of other popular tunes to the accompaniment of a programmed electronic keyboard.

Despite her unconventional style the recording proved a success, leading to a number of subsequent releases of cover versions that eventually gained her an international audience.[2]

She has appeared on such shows as SportsCafe and Rove Live. She guest starred on South Park in an episode named after her that was first broadcast in March 2005. On the DVD commentary for this episode, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone explain that she had to approve her cartoon likeness before allowing her music to be used. Parker also says he received a letter of thanks from her for the sales boost she enjoyed as a result of the episode.

In addition to recordings, Wing has made various appearances in New Zealand, like Massey University Orientation in Wellington.[3]

On 21 August 2007, Wing made her U.S. debut in San Francisco.[4] Wing performed at the 2008 South by Southwest festival.[5]

On May 11, 2008, she performed on the BBC introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend,[6] singing versions of ABBA's "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" and Elton John's "Candle in the Wind".[7] DJ Scott Mills, who had played Wing during his Radio 1 drivetime shows, had to personally pay to fly her over so she could sing at the festival, in Maidstone.[8]

Wing appeared on New Zealand music TV station, C4, in June 2008 for their series Rocked The Nation, where she sang "Pokarekare Ana".[7]

Wing toured the United States in the fall of 2009. On 25–26 October 2009, she appeared at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. On 2 November 2009, she performed at RAZZ in San Francisco.[9]

On her official website, Wing announced that she retired from the musical business in June 2015.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

References

  1. ↑ "Wing wows New York's Birdland Jazz Club". TVNZ. ONE News/NZPA. October 27, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Joy Behar New Year's Eve Live: with special Guest: Wing". SFStation.com: SF Station. December 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ Massey University Orientation, March 2007
  4. ↑ Cafe Du Nord, [{[San Francisco}], "Wing Over America"]
  5. 1 2 Wing, a SXSW 2008 Showcasing Artist from the SXSW website (includes an MP3 of her cover of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells")
  6. ↑ Mills, Scott. "Wing the UK" #1, BBC Radio 1, accessed June 3, 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Wing Music - Official Web Site". Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Scott Mills: Wing in the UK" #12, BBC.co.uk: Radio 1, accessed 09:16, 10 August 2011 (UTC).
  9. ↑ International performances, Wing Music, accessed June 3, 2011.
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