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Jan Smit

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jan Smit is a Dutch singer, television presenter and actor, born on 31 December 1985. He mostly sings Dutch-language songs in the genre known as palingsound (the Volendam sound, named after the town's eel-fishing tradition). His musical career began in Volendam, where he sang in the boys' choir De Zangertjes van Volendam. At the age of ten he was discovered by the band BZN, who asked him for a duet with the singer Carola Smit. The song Mama was a great success. After that he got a solo song, produced by three members of BZN: Ik Zing Dit Lied Voor Jou Alleen. It became the first song ever to enter the Dutch Top 40 at number one.

Music and breakthrough

He was successful in the Netherlands and also in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and France. For a time he performed mainly in Germany, where the rules for underage performers were less strict. Until 2005 he was called Jantje Smit. Then he changed his name, and on 25 March the reality series Gewoon Jan Smit began, which won the Gouden Televizier-Ring that year. In 2006 he received an Edison as best national singer for the album Jansmit.com and, with Als de Morgen is Gekomen and Cupido, scored his third and fourth number ones.

Influence

Later he became a TV presenter, including on Beste Zangers. In 2015 he joined the schlager trio Klubbb3 and in 2017 the Toppers. Smit showed how a child star from Volendam could build a broad, lasting career in television and Dutch-language music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Ik Zing Dit Lied Voor Jou Alleen and notice the voice of the young singer: how does his tone sound, and what do the strings and the melody around him do?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists