Jason van Wyk
Encyclopedia
Jason van Wyk is a South Africa
n music producer, composer, DJ and live performer currently living in Cape Town
. He is most notable for his work in the Electronic Dance Music
scene.
He took up the drums at an early age and piano a few years later.
According to a recent interview, Jason attended seven different schools throughout his childhood and finished his schooling through correspondence colleges. He then went on to study a degree in Audio Engineering.
By the age of thirteen, Jason was already playing in night clubs around Cape Town as a well-respected DJ after one of his demo tapes got passed on to a promoter.
At the age of eleven, he submitted his first original produced CD to Warner's
Gallo Records label, compiled of his own compositions and productions. Shortly after, the label manager got in touch with him and offered words of encouragement, stating he was clearly on the right path and was blown away by the quality of this eleven-year-old's music. A few years passed, and at the age of fourteen, together with a friend of his, he went on to sign his first original single to Gallo Records, becoming their youngest ever signed artist.
Being an all rounded musician, Jason plays a variety of instruments including piano, keyboard, drums and guitar. He is known for his emotional, deep, uplifting and often melancholic melodies, his attention to detail and the versatility in the genres and styles he produces. Piano's, strings and guitars are often used heavily in his works as well as musical influences ranging from classical to modern romantic.
His music has been supported by world wide DJ’s such as Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk
, Tiësto
, Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz
, Sander van Doorn
, Andy Moor, Cosmic Gate
, First State
, Dash Berlin
and many more. He's also the first South African artist to be featured on Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance radio show, Tiesto's Club Life and Above & Beyond's Trance Around The World.
During his early years as a producer he worked under various aliases and pseudonyms doing a vast variety of styles for international and local labels. 2008 though marked the release of his first single under his own name entitled “Imagine”, which was released on the German label, Redux Recordings on 28 July 2008. A year later his collaboration with Dutch duo Vast Vision, featuring vocals from Finnish singer Johanna, titled “Oceanblue” was released on the UK label Alter Ego Recordings on 9 February 2009, with an additional remix release on 19 October 2009. Oceanblue received worldwide support and appeared on numerous compilation CD’s from DJ’s such as Aly & Fila
, George Acosta
and Abbot & Chambers, not to mention play listed on countless radio shows including Tiësto's Club Life
.
His third single, and second on the Redux label, “Far From Me” was released on 14 May 2009. The Original Mix was licensed to Armada Music
after which was seen play listed by Armin van Buuren on his A State of Trance
radio show.
2010 started out with two tracks, “Always” & “Once Again”, being his first release of an exclusive two year deal with the Dutch Black Hole Recordings
label.
"Once Again" was first featured on Cosmic Gate
's 4th volume of their “Back2Back” CD series before its single release. "Always" and "Once Again" were released together on 15 March 2010 on In Trance We Trust
, the release also received 10/10 reviews on MusiCritic.com and 1Mix.co.uk.
His next single titled "September Rain", was featured on volume 8 of the “In Search Of Sunrise
” series, the single was released 25 July 2010 on In Trance We Trust
.
2010 also marked the year of Jason's first live performance. He headlined at an event in Cape Town on Saturday, January 23 with a two hour set compiled by some of his own works as well as other artists, performing live sections on each track using a MacBook with a midi controller and Live
software. This same format of performing was seen throughout the year as he performed alongside acts such as Cosmic Gate, Ferry Corsten, Andy Duguid, Richard Durand and Julie Thompson.
His next single, "Dream On", was released 6 September 2010, launching Black Hole's new sub label, First State Music. The original mix was released with an additional remix from fellow South African producer Protoculture. The track was awarded a 5/5 rating from Tiësto
and was seen play listed by Above & Beyond on their Trance Around The World
radio show two weeks in a row, by Armin van Buuren on A State of Trance
, by Sander van Doorn
on his weekly show Identity and then was licensed by Armada Music
to Max Graham
's “Cycles vol. 2” compilation.
The next singles released were "Moments" - A collaboration with Italian producer Amex (released 13 December 2010 with a remix from Van Dresen), and "Someday" - A collaboration with American producer Audien (released 4 May 2011 with a remix from First State
).
Jason's welcomed return to the In Search Of Sunrise
series for volume 9 has seen him partnering up with another fellow artist, Sweedish producer Joni Ljungqvist, their upcoming single "Elsewhere" is included on CD 1.
Jason has also been active as a prominent remixer through-out the years. Lending his sound to artists such as Grammy Award nominee BT
, First State
, Susana, Kirsty Hawkshaw
and many more.
In early 2011, Jason signed up with i.e.:Morrison, the production company of Canadian producer / DJ Glenn Morrison.
The company specializes in sublicensing and offshooting musical projects to record labels, entertainment media, and commercial retailers.
Jason's first mix compilation CD, and first compilation for Black Hole's First State Music label, will be released in the later part of 2011.
In November 2011, Jason van Wyk Music was publicly launched - An independent company that delivers custom music and audio services to a cliental.
under the sub-labels In Trance We Trust
and First State Music.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n music producer, composer, DJ and live performer currently living in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. He is most notable for his work in the Electronic Dance Music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
scene.
Background
Jason was born in Cape Town, South Africa where he still resides to this day. His mother is a classical pianist and music teacher and his father a mechanic.He took up the drums at an early age and piano a few years later.
According to a recent interview, Jason attended seven different schools throughout his childhood and finished his schooling through correspondence colleges. He then went on to study a degree in Audio Engineering.
Music career
Jason started his music career at the young age of seven, when he decided to get into DJing after his first exposure to electronic music.By the age of thirteen, Jason was already playing in night clubs around Cape Town as a well-respected DJ after one of his demo tapes got passed on to a promoter.
At the age of eleven, he submitted his first original produced CD to Warner's
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
Gallo Records label, compiled of his own compositions and productions. Shortly after, the label manager got in touch with him and offered words of encouragement, stating he was clearly on the right path and was blown away by the quality of this eleven-year-old's music. A few years passed, and at the age of fourteen, together with a friend of his, he went on to sign his first original single to Gallo Records, becoming their youngest ever signed artist.
Being an all rounded musician, Jason plays a variety of instruments including piano, keyboard, drums and guitar. He is known for his emotional, deep, uplifting and often melancholic melodies, his attention to detail and the versatility in the genres and styles he produces. Piano's, strings and guitars are often used heavily in his works as well as musical influences ranging from classical to modern romantic.
His music has been supported by world wide DJ’s such as Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk
Paul van Dyk
Matthias Paul, better known by his stage name Paul van Dyk is a German Grammy Award-winning Electronic Dance Music DJ, musician and record producer...
, Tiësto
Tiësto
Tijs Michiel Verwest, , known as Tiësto , is a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto...
, Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz
Markus Schulz
Markus Schulz, born , is a German trance music DJ and producer who resides in Miami, Florida, USA. He is best-known for his weekly radio show titled Global DJ Broadcast that airs on Digitally Imported radio, After Hours FM and other online stations...
, Sander van Doorn
Sander van Doorn
Sander van Doorn Sander van Doorn Sander van Doorn (born Sander Ketelaars [] on February 28, 1979 in Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands is a Dutch tech trance DJ and producer...
, Andy Moor, Cosmic Gate
Cosmic Gate
Cosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
, First State
First State
First State is a project of Sander van Dien and Shane Halcon. First State has released numerous singles, remixes and albums and compilations, most of which gained recognition within the world wide Trance scene...
, Dash Berlin
Dash Berlin
Dash Berlin is a progressive-trance project created in 2007 in The Hague, Netherlands by Eelke Kalberg and Sebastiaan Molijn . The front man of the group is the DJ Jeffrey Sutorius...
and many more. He's also the first South African artist to be featured on Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance radio show, Tiesto's Club Life and Above & Beyond's Trance Around The World.
During his early years as a producer he worked under various aliases and pseudonyms doing a vast variety of styles for international and local labels. 2008 though marked the release of his first single under his own name entitled “Imagine”, which was released on the German label, Redux Recordings on 28 July 2008. A year later his collaboration with Dutch duo Vast Vision, featuring vocals from Finnish singer Johanna, titled “Oceanblue” was released on the UK label Alter Ego Recordings on 9 February 2009, with an additional remix release on 19 October 2009. Oceanblue received worldwide support and appeared on numerous compilation CD’s from DJ’s such as Aly & Fila
Aly & Fila
Aly & Fila is an Egyptian trance music duo made up of Aly Amr Fathalah and Fadi Wassef Naguib . They host an internet radio show every Monday on Digitally Imported radio, called Future Sound of Egypt.-History:...
, George Acosta
George Acosta
- Biography :All great music reaches into your very soul, captures the mind and touches the heart. It can tell a story, take you on an incredible journey and target many different types of emotions. Music such as this can only come from the hard work of a great artist, an artist such as George...
and Abbot & Chambers, not to mention play listed on countless radio shows including Tiësto's Club Life
Tiësto's Club Life
Tiësto's Club Life is Dutch DJ Tiësto's weekly radio show broadcasted on Radio 538 in the Netherlands. The show started broadcasting 6 April 2007 every Friday evening, from 10 PM CET to midnight. The show is also frequently broadcast on the Sirius and XM satellite radio channel Electric AREA...
.
His third single, and second on the Redux label, “Far From Me” was released on 14 May 2009. The Original Mix was licensed to Armada Music
Armada Music
Armada Music is a Dutch record label that specializes in releasing electronic dance music, primarily trance and house, co-founded by Armin van Buuren....
after which was seen play listed by Armin van Buuren on his A State of Trance
A State of Trance
A State Of Trance is the title of a weekly radio show hosted by prominent trance producer DJ Armin van Buuren. First airing in March 2001 on ID&T Radio , the show takes the format of a two hour mix in which he plays new trance music, both promotional and commercially released...
radio show.
2010 started out with two tracks, “Always” & “Once Again”, being his first release of an exclusive two year deal with the Dutch Black Hole Recordings
Black Hole Recordings
Black Hole Recordings B.V. is a Dutch record label founded by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink in 1997. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment Distribution, known as Koch Entertainment Distribution until January 22, 2009...
label.
"Once Again" was first featured on Cosmic Gate
Cosmic Gate
Cosmic Gate is a German trance duo made up of Claus Terhoeven and Stefan Bossems . Both from Krefeld in Germany. On October 28, 2009, DJ Magazine announced the results of their annual Top 100 DJ Poll, with Ultra Records artist Cosmic Gate placed #19, 43 spots above the group's ranking the year...
's 4th volume of their “Back2Back” CD series before its single release. "Always" and "Once Again" were released together on 15 March 2010 on In Trance We Trust
In Trance We Trust (label)
In Trance We Trust is a Dutch record label owned by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink. It is a sublabel of Black Hole Recordings, established in 1997 and best known for its club side of trance music.-Albums:Artist Albums...
, the release also received 10/10 reviews on MusiCritic.com and 1Mix.co.uk.
His next single titled "September Rain", was featured on volume 8 of the “In Search Of Sunrise
In Search of Sunrise (Series)
In Search of Sunrise is the title given to a trance/house mix-compilation music CD series by Tijs Verwest under his most well known pseudonym Tiësto. The series, currently up to its ninth installment, is released by Tiësto on the label SongBird, a subdivision of Black Hole Recordings. It debuted...
” series, the single was released 25 July 2010 on In Trance We Trust
In Trance We Trust (label)
In Trance We Trust is a Dutch record label owned by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink. It is a sublabel of Black Hole Recordings, established in 1997 and best known for its club side of trance music.-Albums:Artist Albums...
.
2010 also marked the year of Jason's first live performance. He headlined at an event in Cape Town on Saturday, January 23 with a two hour set compiled by some of his own works as well as other artists, performing live sections on each track using a MacBook with a midi controller and Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
software. This same format of performing was seen throughout the year as he performed alongside acts such as Cosmic Gate, Ferry Corsten, Andy Duguid, Richard Durand and Julie Thompson.
His next single, "Dream On", was released 6 September 2010, launching Black Hole's new sub label, First State Music. The original mix was released with an additional remix from fellow South African producer Protoculture. The track was awarded a 5/5 rating from Tiësto
Tiësto
Tijs Michiel Verwest, , known as Tiësto , is a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto...
and was seen play listed by Above & Beyond on their Trance Around The World
Trance Around the World
Trance Around the World is the title of a weekly radio show hosted by trance DJs Above & Beyond...
radio show two weeks in a row, by Armin van Buuren on A State of Trance
A State of Trance
A State Of Trance is the title of a weekly radio show hosted by prominent trance producer DJ Armin van Buuren. First airing in March 2001 on ID&T Radio , the show takes the format of a two hour mix in which he plays new trance music, both promotional and commercially released...
, by Sander van Doorn
Sander van Doorn
Sander van Doorn Sander van Doorn Sander van Doorn (born Sander Ketelaars [] on February 28, 1979 in Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands is a Dutch tech trance DJ and producer...
on his weekly show Identity and then was licensed by Armada Music
Armada Music
Armada Music is a Dutch record label that specializes in releasing electronic dance music, primarily trance and house, co-founded by Armin van Buuren....
to Max Graham
Max Graham
Max Graham is a Canadian DJ, composer and producer who manages to transcend genres while producing international hits in the dance music scene. He is most famous for his hits “Sun in the Winter” and “Nothing Else Matters”, His Cycles CD Series/Radio show as well as his remix of the classic song...
's “Cycles vol. 2” compilation.
The next singles released were "Moments" - A collaboration with Italian producer Amex (released 13 December 2010 with a remix from Van Dresen), and "Someday" - A collaboration with American producer Audien (released 4 May 2011 with a remix from First State
First State
First State is a project of Sander van Dien and Shane Halcon. First State has released numerous singles, remixes and albums and compilations, most of which gained recognition within the world wide Trance scene...
).
Jason's welcomed return to the In Search Of Sunrise
In Search of Sunrise (Series)
In Search of Sunrise is the title given to a trance/house mix-compilation music CD series by Tijs Verwest under his most well known pseudonym Tiësto. The series, currently up to its ninth installment, is released by Tiësto on the label SongBird, a subdivision of Black Hole Recordings. It debuted...
series for volume 9 has seen him partnering up with another fellow artist, Sweedish producer Joni Ljungqvist, their upcoming single "Elsewhere" is included on CD 1.
Jason has also been active as a prominent remixer through-out the years. Lending his sound to artists such as Grammy Award nominee BT
BT (musician)
Brian Wayne Transeau is a classically trained and Grammy-nominated American music producer, composer, audio technician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter better known by his stage name, BT. He is an artist in the electronic genre...
, First State
First State
First State is a project of Sander van Dien and Shane Halcon. First State has released numerous singles, remixes and albums and compilations, most of which gained recognition within the world wide Trance scene...
, Susana, Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kirsty Hawkshaw is a British dance/electronica/house/trance musician and songwriter. She is known for her participation as lead vocalist for the group Opus III, and her collaborative work with other musicians and producers....
and many more.
In early 2011, Jason signed up with i.e.:Morrison, the production company of Canadian producer / DJ Glenn Morrison.
The company specializes in sublicensing and offshooting musical projects to record labels, entertainment media, and commercial retailers.
Jason's first mix compilation CD, and first compilation for Black Hole's First State Music label, will be released in the later part of 2011.
In November 2011, Jason van Wyk Music was publicly launched - An independent company that delivers custom music and audio services to a cliental.
Artist album
Jason's first artist album has been scheduled for a 2012 release on Black Hole Recordings / First State Music. According to Jason's personal Twitter, production on this album will begin 6 June 2011. It's said to not be a Trance album but rather a selection of styles and genres within electronic music.Singles & EP's
- 2006 Jason van Wyk & Dreamquest - Imagine (Redux Recordings)
- 2008 Jason van Wyk & Vast Vision - Oceanblue (Alter Ego Records)
- 2009 Jason van Wyk - Far From Me (Redux Recordings)
- 2010 Jason van Wyk - Once Again (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 Jason van Wyk - Always (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 Jason van Wyk - September Rain (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 Jason van Wyk - Dream On (Black Hole / First State Music)
- 2010 Amex & Jason van Wyk – Moments (Black Hole / First State Music)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Audien – Someday (Black Hole / First State Music)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk – Luminate (Black Hole / First State Deep)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & JPL – Elsewhere (Black Hole / First State Music)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk – Novella (Black Hole / First State Music)
- 20xx Jason van Wyk – Set Sail (TBA)
Mix Compilations
- 2011 Untitled First State Music compilation (Black Hole / First State Music)
Engineered / Co-Production Work
- 2004 Sound Craft - Directions (Gallo Records)
- 2007 North Star - Out Of Sight (Nukleuz Records)
- 2011 Digital Divas - Million Little Lights (Single)
Announced Work In Progress
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Pierre Pienaar – TBA (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & JPL ft. Cat Martin – TBA (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Sequentia – TBA (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Tom Fall – TBA (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Sindre Eide – TBA (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk & Amex – Untitled EP (TBA)
- 2011 Jason van Wyk – Untitled EP (TBA)
- 2011 JPL & Jason van Wyk – Elated (TBA)
- 2012 Jason van Wyk – Untitled Artist Album (Black Hole Recordings)
Remixes
- 2005 Rene Ablaze – Autumn Again (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Redux Recordings)
- 2008 De La Saal - Delirium (Jason van Wyk's Out To Sea Remake) (Redux Recordings)
- 2009 Javah ft. Tiff Lacey - One By One (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Redux Recordings / Spinnin' Records)
- 2009 Pierre Pienaar ft. Marcie - If You're Not Here (Jason van Wyk's Drifting Mix) (Media Records)
- 2010 First State - Cape Point (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Black Hole / Magik Muzik)
- 2010 C-Systems ft. Van Dresen - Embrace (Jason van Wyk's Offshore Mix) (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 T.O.M. - Monsoon (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 Protoculture - Early Bird (Jason van Wyk Deep Mix) (Spundae Music)
- 2011 Daniel Kandi - Promised (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Enhanced / Always Alive)
- 2011 Meridian - Shifter (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Infrasonic Recordings)
- 2011 Kirsty Bertarelli - Set Your Body Free (Jason van Wyk Remix) (KB Recordings)
- 2011 Susana ft. Dark Matters - Unwind Me (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Armada Music)
- 2011 BT ft. Kirsty Hawkshaw - A Million Stars (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Black Hole Recordings)
- 2011 LTN - Ordinary People (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Enhanced Recordings)
- 2011 Betsie Larkin with John O'Callaghan - The Dream (Jason van Wyk Remix) (Black Hole / Premiere)
Unreleased Works
- 2006 Pole Folder ft. Kirsty Hawkshaw – Silent Stars (Jason van Wyk Remix)
Selected Compilation Appearances
- 2008 Alter Ego Sessions vol. 2 – Mixed by Abbott & Chambers (Alter Ego Records)
- 2008 All Rights Reserved vol. 2 – Mixed by George Acosta (Moist Music)
- 2008 Trance World vol. 2 – Mixed by Aly & Fila (Armada Music)
- 2009 Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance Radio Top 15 – May 2009 (Armada Music)
- 2010 Back2Back vol. 4 - Mixed by Cosmic Gate (Black Hole Recordings)
- 2010 Russia Goes Clubbing 2010 - Mixed by Bobina (World Club Music)
- 2010 In Search Of Sunrise 8: South Africa – Mixed by Richard Durand (Black Hole / Songbird)
- 2010 Cycles vol.2 - Mixed by Max Graham (Armada Music)
- 2010 In Trance We Trust 016 - Mixed by DJ Observer & Daniel Heatcliff (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2010 Global Sessions Fall 2010 - Mixed by Johan Gielen (Black Hole Recordings)
- 2010 Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance Radio Top 15 – November 2010 (Armada Music)
- 2010 The DJ In The Mix 6 - Mixed by ATB (Kontor Records)
- 2011 Crossroads Year Mix 2010 - Mixed by First State (Black Hole Recordings)
- 2011 In Trance We Trust 017 - Mixed by Bobina (Black Hole / In Trance We Trust)
- 2011 Breaking The Silence vol. 2 - Mixed by Andy Moor (Armada Music)
- 2011 In Search Of Sunrise 9: India – Mixed by Richard Durand (Black Hole / Songbird)
- 2011 The Whole Nine Yards – Mixed by First State (Black Hole Recordings)
Labels
Jason is currently signed to Black Hole Recordings (Holland)Black Hole Recordings
Black Hole Recordings B.V. is a Dutch record label founded by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink in 1997. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment Distribution, known as Koch Entertainment Distribution until January 22, 2009...
under the sub-labels In Trance We Trust
In Trance We Trust (label)
In Trance We Trust is a Dutch record label owned by Tijs Verwest and Arny Bink. It is a sublabel of Black Hole Recordings, established in 1997 and best known for its club side of trance music.-Albums:Artist Albums...
and First State Music.
External links
- Official Website
- Jason van Wyk at SoundCloudSoundCloudSoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
- Jason van Wyk at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Jason van Wyk at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...