Edsilia Rombley
Encyclopedia
Edsilia Francisca Rombley (born February 13, 1978) is a Dutch
singer. She participated in the Soundmixshow
in 1996. She represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
twice, in 1998 and 2007.
in the Netherlands
. Her parents were from Aruba
and Curaçao
(Netherlands Antilles
).
The career of Edsilia Rombley started in 1995, with Gracia Gorré, Karima Lemghari and Susan Haps in the group called Dignity. The name
Dignity stands for Dignified Individuals Giving New Insight To You. A year later the singles "Talk To Me" and "Hold Me" from the compilation album "No Sweat" entered the charts.
In 1996, Edsilia won the final of the European Soundmix Show
with an imitation of Oleta Adams
' song, "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice". In 1997, her international reputation was established thanks to the profit of the European Soundmix Show
, in which she sang the same song. That year she left Dignity and released her first solo single "Baby It's You". In 1997 she recorded her first album "Thuis" which was in assignment and exclusive for Douwe Egberts
.
In 1998, Edsilia competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998
in Birmingham
, United Kingdom
, where she gained 150 points and placed 4th with the song "Hemel en aarde" ("Heaven and earth"). This was the best result the Netherlands had achieved since their win in 1975 with Teach-In. The song was written Fluitsma & Van Tijn and reached twelfth place in the top 40. Her debut English
album was released shortly after her Eurovision participation.
After many struggles, Edsilia released her second album "Face To Face" in 2002. The album was produced by Tjeerd Oosterhuis. This was preceded by the hit "What Have You Done To Me", which became nominated in the category for best R&B song at the TMF Awards. The same song gained her a nomination in 2003, as well as an Edison Award nomination for the 'Best Artist'. In spite of altitude of expectations, the latest album did not do well. In 2003, "Face to Face" was also released out in Germany and also gained minimal success. The singer stayed there to promote the album, however, the album did not succeed.
From January 2004, the singer went on tour with jazz pianist Michiel Borstlap, in which she played a combination of headstock and jazz. Besides her own repertoire she covered song from Anita Baker
and Oleta Adams. On 28 November Edsilia Rombley and Karin Bloemen sang during a benefit concert for Bangladesh
, organised by Memisa, a foundation which works for the improvement of health care in developing countries. The singers were accompanied by a five-man band and backing singers. They also sang some special numbers by Tjeerd Oosterhuis, composed for Memisa.
Using one of the songs from the benefit concert in Bangladesh
, Tjeerd Oosterhuis created a version for a special cause. The song was for the benefit of the victims of the Tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean. In January 2005, Edsilia was one of the singers incorporated into the Artists For Asia, "Als Je Iets Kan Doen" song that included many Dutch artists. In 2005, for the first time, Edsilia went on tour in the Dutch theaters with the show 'Van Jongs Af Aan'. She played a repertoire of covers, but also own numbers. In spite of her minimal success as a singer, the tour was rather successful. In 2006, Rombley participated in the RTL 4 TV-programme Dancing with the Stars
, a dancing game with well-known Dutch and professional dancing teachers. Edsilia danced with dance-coach Peter Bosveld, but unfortunately, she was eliminated after the fourth show.
In June 2006, Edsilia's single "Dan Ben Ik Van Jou" was released as an indication of an entirely new album with Dutch compositions. The number became a reasonable success in the Dutch Top 40. On 1 September 2006 Edsilia married Tjeerd Oosterhuis in Amsterdam. Recently, her new single has appeared: "Eén Keer Meer Dan Jij". This ballad was written by Tjeerd Oosterhuis and will be on the new album titled "Meer Dan Ooit". The release is planned for February 2007. Edislia has begun a new tour in Dutch theatres. Edsilia's vocals are present on the single "Vlinders" by Brainpower
, which was released in December 2006.
Edsilia Rombley represented the Netherlands again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
in May 2007 in Helsinki
, Finland
with the song "On Top of the World
", but was eliminated in the semi-finals. The Dutch
original is titled "Nooit Meer Zonder Jou". She also announced the '12 Points' from the Netherlands for the Eurovision Final.
Singles
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
singer. She participated in the Soundmixshow
Soundmixshow
Soundmixshow is the original Dutch version of Stars In Their Eyes; it was hosted by Henny Huisman, as a live-vocals version of the increasingly obsolete Playback Show...
in 1996. She represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
twice, in 1998 and 2007.
Biography
Edsilia Rombley was born on February 13, 1978 in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Her parents were from Aruba
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
and Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
(Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
).
The career of Edsilia Rombley started in 1995, with Gracia Gorré, Karima Lemghari and Susan Haps in the group called Dignity. The name
Dignity stands for Dignified Individuals Giving New Insight To You. A year later the singles "Talk To Me" and "Hold Me" from the compilation album "No Sweat" entered the charts.
In 1996, Edsilia won the final of the European Soundmix Show
European Soundmix Show
The European Soundmix Show was an imitation talent competition held yearly from 1996 to 1999, with two special shows in 2001 and 2002.The show was an international version of Joop van den Ende's "Henny Huisman Soundmixshow", which was aired on Dutch television the first time in 1985.Various...
with an imitation of Oleta Adams
Oleta Adams
Oleta Adams is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.-Biography:Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.Before gaining her opportunity to perform,...
' song, "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice". In 1997, her international reputation was established thanks to the profit of the European Soundmix Show
European Soundmix Show
The European Soundmix Show was an imitation talent competition held yearly from 1996 to 1999, with two special shows in 2001 and 2002.The show was an international version of Joop van den Ende's "Henny Huisman Soundmixshow", which was aired on Dutch television the first time in 1985.Various...
, in which she sang the same song. That year she left Dignity and released her first solo single "Baby It's You". In 1997 she recorded her first album "Thuis" which was in assignment and exclusive for Douwe Egberts
Douwe Egberts
Douwe Egberts is a Dutch corporation that processes and trades coffee, tea, and other groceries. Its full name is Douwe Egberts Koninklijke Tabaksfabriek-Koffiebranderijen-Theehandel NV, which translates as "Douwe Egberts Royal Tobacco Factory - Coffee Roasters - Tea Traders, Plc."...
.
In 1998, Edsilia competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998
Eurovision Song Contest 1998
The Eurovision Song Contest 1998 was the 43rd Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 9 May 1998 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The presenters were Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson...
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where she gained 150 points and placed 4th with the song "Hemel en aarde" ("Heaven and earth"). This was the best result the Netherlands had achieved since their win in 1975 with Teach-In. The song was written Fluitsma & Van Tijn and reached twelfth place in the top 40. Her debut English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
album was released shortly after her Eurovision participation.
After many struggles, Edsilia released her second album "Face To Face" in 2002. The album was produced by Tjeerd Oosterhuis. This was preceded by the hit "What Have You Done To Me", which became nominated in the category for best R&B song at the TMF Awards. The same song gained her a nomination in 2003, as well as an Edison Award nomination for the 'Best Artist'. In spite of altitude of expectations, the latest album did not do well. In 2003, "Face to Face" was also released out in Germany and also gained minimal success. The singer stayed there to promote the album, however, the album did not succeed.
From January 2004, the singer went on tour with jazz pianist Michiel Borstlap, in which she played a combination of headstock and jazz. Besides her own repertoire she covered song from Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Anita Baker is an American R&B/soul jazz singer-songwriter. To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards, and has four platinum albums and two gold albums to her credit....
and Oleta Adams. On 28 November Edsilia Rombley and Karin Bloemen sang during a benefit concert for Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, organised by Memisa, a foundation which works for the improvement of health care in developing countries. The singers were accompanied by a five-man band and backing singers. They also sang some special numbers by Tjeerd Oosterhuis, composed for Memisa.
Using one of the songs from the benefit concert in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Tjeerd Oosterhuis created a version for a special cause. The song was for the benefit of the victims of the Tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean. In January 2005, Edsilia was one of the singers incorporated into the Artists For Asia, "Als Je Iets Kan Doen" song that included many Dutch artists. In 2005, for the first time, Edsilia went on tour in the Dutch theaters with the show 'Van Jongs Af Aan'. She played a repertoire of covers, but also own numbers. In spite of her minimal success as a singer, the tour was rather successful. In 2006, Rombley participated in the RTL 4 TV-programme Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, a dancing game with well-known Dutch and professional dancing teachers. Edsilia danced with dance-coach Peter Bosveld, but unfortunately, she was eliminated after the fourth show.
Brainpower
Gertjan Mulder, professionally known as Brainpower, is a bi-lingual rapper, who writes, records and performs in both the English as well as the Dutch language. The Dutch audience mainly knows him as a Dutch language rapper. He was born in Belgium and grew up in the Netherlands. He started making...
, which was released in December 2006.
Edsilia Rombley represented the Netherlands again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Eurovision Song Contest 2007
The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by first-time appearance as an independent country Serbia and was held at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland from 10 May to 12 May. The host broadcaster was YLE.Finland earned the right to host...
in May 2007 in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
with the song "On Top of the World
On Top of the World (song)
"On Top of the World" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, performed in English by Edsilia Rombley. The song was written by Tjeerd Oosterhuis, Maarten ten Hove and Martin Gijzemijter...
", but was eliminated in the semi-finals. The Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
original is titled "Nooit Meer Zonder Jou". She also announced the '12 Points' from the Netherlands for the Eurovision Final.
Discography
Albums- Thuis (1997)
- Edsilia (1998)
- Face to face (2002)
- Meer Dan Ooit (2007)
Singles
- "Hemel en aardeHemel en aarde"Hemel en aarde" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, performed in Dutch by Edsilia.The song is a moderately up-tempo ballad, with Edsilia describing her feelings on discovering love in what was seemingly an unexpected place...
" (1998) - "Second Floor" (1998)
- "Walking On WaterHemel en aarde"Hemel en aarde" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, performed in Dutch by Edsilia.The song is a moderately up-tempo ballad, with Edsilia describing her feelings on discovering love in what was seemingly an unexpected place...
" (1998) - "Get here" (1999)
- "How Can You Say That" (1999)
- "What Have You Done To Me" (2001)
- "Gotta Let Me Go" (2002)
- "I'll Be That Someone" (2002)
- "Dan Ben Ik Van Jou" (2006)
External links
- Edsilia Rombley (official website)