or is the top division of professional sumo. Its size is fixed at 42 wrestlers (rikishi), ordered into five ranks according to their ability as defined by their performance in previous tournaments.

This is the only division that is featured on NHK's standard live coverage of sumo tournaments. The lower divisions are shown on their satellite coverage, with only ''makuuchi'' broadcast having bilingual commentary.

''Makuuchi'' literally means "inside the curtain", a reference to the early period of professional sumo, when there was a curtained-off area reserved for the top ranked wrestlers to sit prior to appearing for their bouts.

Wrestlers are considered for promotion or demotion in rank prior to each grand tournament according to their performance in the one previous. Generally, a greater number of wins than losses (''kachikoshi'') results in a promotion, and the reverse (''makekoshi'') results in demotion. There are stricter criteria for promotion to the top two ranks, which are also privileged when considered for demotion.

Overview

At the top of the division are the "titleholder" or ''san'yaku'' ranks of ''yokozuna'', ''ōzeki'', ''sekiwake'' and ''komusubi''. There are typically 8–12 ''san'yaku'' wrestlers, with the remainder, called ''maegashira'', ranked in numerical order from 1 downwards.

literally means "the three ranks", even though it actually comprises four ranks. The discrepancy arose because the ''yokozuna'' was traditionally regarded as an ''ōzeki'' with a special license to wear a particular rope around his waist and perform a distinctive ring entry ceremony. In modern use ''san'yaku'' has a somewhat flexible definition, sometimes not including ''yokozuna'' — thus resulting in three ''san'yaku'' ranks — and sometimes even ''ōzeki'' is not regarded as part of ''san'yaku''.

There are normally two wrestlers each in ''sekiwake'' and ''komusubi'', although there may be more and there must be at least one. Although there is usually a ''yokozuna'' there is no requirement for one, and it has sometimes happened that no active ''yokozuna'' are listed in the ranks. If there is more than one ''yokozuna'' but only one ''ōzeki'', the lower rank will be filled out by designating one of the ''yokozuna'' as ''yokozuna-ōzeki''. There is no recorded instance of there being fewer than two ''yokozuna'' and ''ōzeki'' in total.

There are a number of privileges and responsibilities associated with the ''san'yaku'' ranks. Any wrestler who reaches one of them is entitled to purchase one of the membership shares in the Japan Sumo Association, regardless of the total number of tournaments they have spent in the top ''makuuchi'' division. They may be called on to represent all sumo wrestlers on certain occasions. For example, when the president of the Sumo Association makes a formal speech on the opening and closing days of a tournament, he is flanked by all the ''san'yaku'' wrestlers in their mawashi. Similarly they may be called to assist in welcoming a VIP, such as the Emperor, to the arena.

The ''san'yaku'' can be split into two groups: The senior yokozuna and ozeki, and junior sekiwake and komusubi.

The former group have special promotion criteria and higher salaries, and have additional perks such as a higher number of junior wrestlers to assist them, an entitlement to park in the Sumo Association compound and voting rights in the election for Association directors. Senior yokozuna and ozeki also have added responsibilities. They are expected to represent wrestler views to the Association, assist in advertising events and meet event sponsors.

The latter group, ''sekiwake'' and ''komusubi'', have lesser responsibilities and are still eligible for one of the three special prizes, or ''sansho'' that are awarded for exceptional performance at the end of each tournament.

''Yokozuna''

is the highest rank in sumo. The name literally means "horizontal rope" and comes from the most visible symbol of their rank, the rope (''tsuna'') worn around the waist. The rope is similar to the ''shimenawa'' used to mark off sacred areas in Shinto, and like ''shimenawa'' serves to purify and mark off its content. The rope, which may weigh up to 20 kilograms, is not used during the matches themselves, but is worn during the ''yokozuna'''s ''dohyo-iri'' ring entrance ceremony.

History of ''yokozuna''

The birth of the rank of ''yokozuna'' is unclear, and there are two competing legends. According to one, a 9th-century wrestler named Hajikami tied a ''shimenawa'' around his waist as a handicap and dared any to touch it, creating sumo as we know it in the process. According to the other, legendary wrestler Akashi Shiganosuke tied the ''shimenawa'' around his waist in 1630 as a sign of respect when visiting the Emperor, and was posthumously awarded the title for the first time. There is little supporting evidence for either theory—in fact, it is not even certain that Akashi actually existed—but it is known that by November 1789, ''yokozuna'' starting from the fourth ''yokozuna'' Tanikaze Kajinosuke and the fifth ''yokozuna'' Onogawa Kisaburō were depicted in ukiyo-e prints as wearing the ''shimenawa''. These two wrestlers were both awarded ''yokozuna'' licences by the prominent Yoshida family.

Prior to the Meiji Era, the title ''yokozuna'' was conferred on ''ōzeki'' who performed sumo in front of the Shogun. This privilege was more often determined by a wrestler's patron having sufficient influence rather than purely on the ability and dignity of the wrestler. Thus there are a number of early wrestlers who were, by modern standards, ''yokozuna'' in name only. In these early days ''yokozuna'' was also not regarded as a separate rank in the listings, but as an ''ozeki'' with special dispensation to perform his own ring entering ceremony.

At first, the Yoshida family and a rival family, Gojo, fought for the right to award a wrestler a ''yokozuna'' licence. The Yoshida family won this dispute, because the 15th ''yokozuna'' Umegatani Tōtarō I, one of the strongest wrestlers, expressed his wish that he be awarded a licence by the Yoshida family in February 1884, and Gojo licences are no longer recognized officially.

In May 1890, the name ''yokozuna'' was written on the ''banzuke'' for the first time due to the 16th ''yokozuna'' Nishinoumi Kajirō I's insistence that his ''yokozuna'' status be recorded. In February 1909, during the reigns of the 19th ''yokozuna'', Hitachiyama Taniemon, and the 20th, Umegatani Tōtarō II, it was officially recognized as the highest rank. Since the establishment of the on April 21, 1950, wrestlers have been promoted to ''yokozuna'' by the Japan Sumo Association. The first ''yokozuna'' promoted by the Sumo Association was the 41st ''yokozuna'' Chiyonoyama Masanobu.

Criteria for promotion to ''yokozuna''

In modern sumo, the qualifications that an ''ōzeki'' must satisfy to be promoted are that he has enough power, skill and dignity/grace (品格 ''hinkaku'') to qualify. There are no absolute criteria, nor is there a set quota: there have been periods with no wrestlers at ''yokozuna'' rank, and there have been periods with up to four simultaneously.

The power and skill aspects are usually considered with reference to recent tournament performance. The de facto standard is to win two consecutive championships as ''ozeki'' or an equivalent performance. In the case where the "equivalent performance" criterion is used the wrestler's record over the previous three tournaments is taken into account with an expectation of at least one tournament victory and two runner up performances, with none of the three records falling below twelve wins. Thus a consistent high level of performance is required. Winning two tournaments with a poor performance between them is not usually sufficient. The rules are not set in stone and hence the ''Yokozuna Deliberation Council'' and Sumo Association can interpret the criteria more leniently or strictly and also take into account other factors, such as total number of tournament victories, and the quality of the wins and whether the losses show any bad vulnerabilities in reaching their conclusion.

The issue of ''hinkaku'' (dignity and grace) is more contentious, as it is essentially a subjective issue. For example Hawaiian born ''ozeki'' Konishiki, in particular, was felt by many to be unfairly kept from ''yokozuna'' status due to his non Japanese origin, and many Sumo Association members even openly said that foreigners (''gaijin'') could never achieve the ''hinkaku'' needed to be a yokozuna. In the case of Konishiki, other issues such as his weight were also cited. Other wrestlers in the past have also been held back. For example Chiyonoyama in the 1950s was not immediately promoted due to his relative youth despite winning consecutive tournaments, although he later achieved the top rank. On the other hand, Futahaguro was given the title of ''yokozuna'' in 1986, despite immaturity being cited in opposition to his promotion. After being promoted, he was involved in several misbehaviors that embarrassed the Sumo Association such as hitting one of his ''tsukebitos'' (manservant or personal assistant) over a trivial matter in a scandal that had all of his six ''tsukebitos'' decide to leave him. The promotion again proved to be a total fiasco when it was later revealed that he had a heated argument with his stable boss, Tatsunami, and stormed out of the heya, allegedly striking Tatsunami's wife on the way. Futahaguro eventually retired after only one and a half years at the top rank and became the only ''yokozuna'' in sumo history ever to retire without having won at least one top division championship.

The debate concerning foreigners having the dignity to be a ''yokozuna'' was finally laid to rest on January 27, 1993, when ''ozeki'' Akebono was formally promoted to ''yokozuna'' after only 8 months as an ''ozeki''. Since then three other overseas wrestlers have also achieved sumo's ultimate rank: Musashimaru, Asashōryū, and Hakuhō.

Becoming a ''yokozuna''

Elevation to ''yokozuna'' rank is a multi-stage process. After a tournament, the ''Yokozuna Deliberation Council'', a body of "lay people" (that is, not former sumo wrestlers) who are appointed by the Japan Sumo Association to provide an independent quality control on Yokozuna promotion, meet and discuss the performance of the top-ranked wrestlers. Usually at the instigation of the Japan Sumo Association they can make a recommendation that a particular ''ozeki''-ranked wrestler has the necessary attributes to be promoted. Their recommendation is then passed to the Judging division and then the Board of Directors of the Sumo Association who make the final decision.

If a wrestler is deemed to have met the criteria then he will be formally visited in his training stable by a member of the Sumo Association Board of Directors who will formally give him the news. In the following days a ''yokozuna'' hawser will then be made in his stable and he will practice the ring entrance ceremony with advice from a previous or current ''yokozuna''. Finally he will have his inaugural ceremonial ring entry ceremony held at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, which is usually completed within a couple of weeks after the tournament ends.

In competition in each tournament for the championship he can never be relegated. A ''yokozuna'' is expected to retire if he is no longer able to compete at the peak of the sport. As a result of this, the system for promotion is quite strict.

''Yokozuna'' ceremonies and traditions

thumb|right|200px|68th yokozuna Asashoryu's Unryū-style Yokozuna Dohyo-iri thumb|right|200px|69th yokozuna Hakuho's Shiranui-style Yokozuna Dohyo-iri The formal birth of the rank from Tanikaze's time appears to have in part come from a desire to let the very best have a separate ring entry ceremony (''dohyō-iri'') from the remaining top division wrestlers. The ''dohyō-iri'' is a ceremonial presentation of all the top division wrestlers which is held prior to the competitive bouts of the day. The normal ceremony for top division wrestlers is to be introduced and form a circle around the wrestling ring (''dohyō'') wearing specially decorated heavy silk "aprons", called ''kesho mawashi''. A brief symbolic "dance" is carried out before filing off to change into their fighting ''mawashi'' and prepare for their bouts.

A yokozuna, however, is introduced after the lower ranked wrestlers and is flanked by two other top division wrestler "assistants". The "dewsweeper" or ''tsuyuharai'' precedes the Yokozuna, while the "sword bearer" or ''tachimochi'' follows him into the arena. The sword is a Japanese katana and symbolises the samurai status of the yokozuna. The ''tachimochi'' will always be the more highly ranked of the assisting wrestlers. As indicated above, during the ceremony the yokozuna will wear his ''tsuna'' around his waist. The ceremonial aprons of all three form a matching set.

Once in the ring the yokozuna takes centre stage and performs a much more complex ritual dance. The dance can take one of two forms, one of which the yokozuna usually chooses when he is first promoted. In addition to the slightly different routine the choice of the yokozuna's ritual can also be determined by the knot used to tie the rope around his waist. The currently more popular "Unryū" style has only one loop at the back, while the "Shiranui" style has two. The styles are named after 10th yokozuna Unryū Kyūkichi and 11th yokozuna Shiranui Kōemon of the Edo period, although there is no historical proof that they actually carried out the dances that have been attributed to them. Indeed there are some scholars who believe that in fact the two concerned have had their ring entering rituals mixed up.

If a former ''yokozuna'' reaches the age of sixty, he usually performs a special ring-entering ceremony known as kanreki dohyō-iri, in celebration of his longevity.

If a ''yokozuna'' is defeated by a ''maegashira'' ranked wrestler, it is common and expected for audience members to throw their seat cushions into the ring (and onto the wrestlers).

As of June 2007, there have been a grand total of 69 yokozuna, although formal record keeping only started with Tanikaze and Onogawa in 1789. For a list of all the ''yokozuna'' recorded through history, see here.

Active ''yokozuna''

The one currently active ''yokozuna'' is:

Hakuhō (白鵬), the 69th ''yokozuna'', from Mongolia, promoted May 2007

Ōzeki

The ''ōzeki'' (), or champion rank, is immediately below ''yokozuna'', in the ranking system. Until the ''yokozuna'' rank was introduced, ''ōzeki'' was the highest rank attainable.

Promotion to ''ōzeki''

The promotion of a wrestler to ''ōzeki'' is a multi-tournament process. A wrestler at the rank of ''sekiwake'' will be considered for promotion if he has achieved a total of at least 30 wins over the three most recent tournaments, including 10 or more wins in the tournament just completed. Promotion is discretionary and there are no hard-and-fast rules, though a three-tournament record of 33 wins is considered a near-guarantee. Other factors toward promotion will include tangibles such as winning a tournament or defeating ''yokozuna'', as well as the rikishi's overall consistency, prowess, and quality of sumo—for example, a record of illegal maneuvers or reliance on certain dodging techniques would count against the dignity expected of an ōzeki.

Promotions are recommended by the Judging Division to the Board of Directors of the Japan Sumo Association. If it is a first promotion to the rank a member of the Board of Directors will formally visit the wrestler's stable to inform the new ''ōzeki'' of his promotion. The ''ōzeki'' will usually make a speech on this occasion promising to do his best to uphold the dignity of the rank.

During the Edo period, wrestlers often made their debuts as ''ōzeki'' based on size alone, though their real competitiveness hadn't been tested yet. The system was called ''Guest ōzeki'' (). Of course, most of them vanished from the ''banzuke'' soon after, but a few wrestlers, notably Tanikaze Kajinosuke, remained as real wrestlers.

Relegation from ''ōzeki''

Like the other ''san'yaku'' ranks, but unlike a ''yokozuna'', an ''ozeki'' may be relegated. For an ''ozeki'', relegation is a two-step procedure. First, the ''ozeki'' must lose more bouts than he wins in a tournament; losing a majority of bouts is called ''makekoshi''. At this point, the ''ozeki'' is called ''kadoban''. If he wins a majority of bouts in the next tournament (which is called ''kachikoshi''), he is restored to regular ''ozeki'' status. If, on the other hand, he loses a majority of bouts while ''kadoban'', he is relegated to ''sekiwake''.

In the tournament immediately following his relegation from ''ozeki'', if a wrestler wins ten or more bouts, he is immediately restored to ''ozeki'' status. However, if he fails to win ten or more matches in his first tournament back as ''sekiwake'', he is treated just like any other wrestler in further attempts at being promoted back to ''ozeki''. This system has been in place since the Nagoya Tournament of 1969. Since that time, four wrestlers have managed an immediate return to ''ozeki'': Mienoumi, Takanonami, Musoyama and Tochiazuma (who managed it on two separate occasions).

Benefits of being an ''ozeki''

In addition to a salary increase there are a number of perks associated with reaching ''ozeki'' rank:

He is guaranteed a higher rank in the Sumo Association when he first retires

He will be given a three year temporary membership of the Sumo Association on his retirement if he does not yet own a share.

He will receive a special merit payment on his retirement (the amount decided by his strength and longevity as an ''ozeki'')

He has a parking space in the Sumo Association headquarters

He can vote in the election of the Sumo Association Directors

Normally he will receive additional support from his stable in terms of junior wrestlers to act as his manservants.

He can wear purple fringed ceremonial aprons (''kesho-mawashi'')

An ''ozeki'' can normally act as a dewsweeper or swordbearer for a yokozuna ring entrance ceremony.

He may be called on to represent the wrestlers on formal occasions such as when VIPs visit a Sumo Tournament, or on formal visits to Shinto Shrines.

List of active ''ōzeki''

Kotoōshū Katsunori: Since January 2006

Harumafuji Kōhei: Since November 2008

Baruto Kaito: Since March 2010

Sekiwake

is the third highest rank in professional sumo wrestling, and is one of the ''san'yaku'' ranks. It is believed to come from guarding the ''ozeki'' (大関 or 関) at his side (脇).

It represents the highest rank a wrestler can achieve by continuously making a ''kachikoshi'' (majority of wins) in tournaments. Promotion to ''sekiwake'' depends on either a space being available, which is quite common, or having a record in the previous tournament that is very convincing, typically 10–5 or better as a ''komusubi''. There are special promotion criteria for the next highest rank of ''ozeki''. Unlike the higher ranks of ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna'', one will lose the rank immediately after having a ''makekoshi'' tournament (more losses than wins).

For many purposes this and the ''komusubi'' rank are treated together as the junior ''san'yaku'' ranks, as opposed to ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna''. For example records of number of tournaments ranked in junior san'yaku are often referred to in sumo publications.

For wrestlers reaching this rank the benefits are similar to that for a ''komusubi''. The salary is higher than for a ''maegashira'' and also the wrestler is usually called to appear to flank the chairman of the Sumo Association during the speeches he makes on opening and closing days of the fifteen day tournaments that are held six times a year. He may also be called on to represent the wrestlers on behalf of the Sumo Association at other events, especially if the number of ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna'' is low. If this is the highest rank a wrestler reaches, even if it is only for one tournament, he will always be referred to as "former sekiwake (ring name)" after his retirement, which is an indicator of a successful sumo career, whilst not achieving the exceptional standards of the highest two ranks.

At any time there must be a minimum of two wrestlers ranked at ''sekiwake''. If circumstances require, this can rise typically to three or four. The minimum of two requirement means that a certain amount of luck can lead to wrestlers achieving this rank on occasion, if the performance of other wrestlers leaves no obvious candidates to fill the rank. This luck factor is less common than it is for ''komusubi'' promotions.

Komusubi

literally means "the little knot", the knot referring to the match up between two wrestlers. It is the fourth highest rank in sumo wrestling and is the lowest of the so called titleholder ranks, or ''san'yaku''.

It is also the lowest rank where achieving a kachikoshi (or majority of wins) is no longer sufficient to guarantee promotion to a higher rank. Promotion to the next highest rank, ''sekiwake'', depends on either a space being available, which is quite common, or having a record in the previous tournament that is very convincing, typically 10–5 or better.

For many purposes this and the ''sekiwake'' rank are treated together as the junior san'yaku ranks, as opposed to ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna'', where extremely stringent promotion criteria exist. Records of number of tournaments ranked in junior san'yaku are often referred to in sumo publications because these two ranks are so difficult to retain.

For wrestlers reaching this rank the benefits are a salary increase and also appearing to flank the chairman of the Sumo Association during the speeches he makes on opening and closing days of the official tournaments, held six times a year. He may also be called on to represent the wrestlers on behalf of the Sumo Association at other events, especially if the number of ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna'' are low. If this is the highest rank a wrestler reaches, even if it is only for one tournament, he will always be referred to as "former komusubi (ring name)" after his retirement, which is an indicator of a fairly successful sumo career.

At any time there must be a minimum of two wrestlers ranked as ''komusubi''. If circumstances require this can rise, typically to three or four. The minimum of two requirement means that a certain amount of luck can lead to wrestlers achieving this rank on occasion, if the performance of other wrestlers leaves no obvious candidates to fill the rank.

''Komusubi'' is widely regarded as a difficult rank to maintain, as wrestlers at this rank are likely to face all the ''ozeki'' and'' yokozuna'' in the first week of a tournament, with a ''yokozuna'' normally scheduled for the opening day. ''Komusubi'' face mainly ''maegashira'' in the second week, but often wrestlers new to the rank are so demoralised by this point that they lose these matches too. Few men making their ''komusubi'' debut return a ''kachi-koshi'' or winning score.

Before World War II there were several instances of ''komusubi'' immediately advancing to ''ozeki'' after nearly winning a tournament, but there have been no instances of this since then.

Maegashira

Maegashira (前頭) is the lowest of five ranks in the top ''makuuchi'' division.

All the ''makuuchi'' wrestlers who are not ranked in ''san'yaku'' are ranked as ''maegashira'', from one at the top downwards. In each rank there are two wrestlers, the higher ranked is designated as "east" and the other as "west".

The number of wrestlers in ''makuuchi'' is fixed (at 42 since 2004) but the number in ''san'yaku'' is not. Thus the number of ''maegashira'' ranks can vary, but is typically between 15 and 17. (This gives a ''makuuchi'' division split of around 10 ''san'yaku'' and 32 ''maegashira'').

Movement within the ''maegashira'' ranks can be minor or extreme, depending on a wrestler's score in the previous 15-bout tournament. For example, a ''maegashira''-2 who has an 8–7 record might only be promoted one level to ''maegashira''-1 for the next tournament. Conversely, a ''maegashira''-14 that wins the division championship could be promoted as high as komusubi. Indeed, this happened in March 2000 when Takatoriki of the Futagoyama stable won the championship with a 13–2 record.

''Maegashira'' ranked 5 or below are likely to only fight amongst themselves, while those ranked ''maegashira'' 4 or above are likely to have several matches against sanyaku wrestlers, including ''ozeki'' and ''yokozuna''. When a ''maegashira'' defeats a ''yokozuna'', it is called a ''kinboshi'' and he is rewarded monetarily for the victory for the remainder of his career.

See also

Glossary of sumo terms

List of sumo records

List of sumo tournament winners

References

External links

Japan Sumo Association

Category:Sumo wrestling Category:Japanese martial arts

de:Sanyaku es:Makuuchi fr:Sanyaku ja:幕内 pl:Sanyaku pt:Makuuchi sv:Makuuchi

Coordinates	24°05′15.3″N46°37′44″N
Name	Donnie Yen
Tradchinesename	甄子丹
Simpchinesename	甄子丹
Pinyinchinesename	Zhēn Zǐdān
Jyutpingchinesename	Jan1 Zi2daan1
Ancestry	Taishan, Guangdong, China
Origin	Hong Kong
Birth date	July 27, 1963
Birth place	Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Occupation	Actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer
Yearsactive	1983 - present
Spouse	Cecilia Cissy Wang (2003 - present)
Website	http://www.DonnieYen.asia
Goldenbauhiniaawards	Best Action Choreography2006 ''Dragon Tiger Gate''
Goldenhorseawards	Best Action Choreography2003 ''The Twins Effect''2007 ''Flash Point''
Hongkongfilmwards	Best Action Choreography2003 ''The Twins Effect''2005 ''SPL: Sha Po Lang''2008 ''Flash Point''
Awards	Iron Elephant AwardsBest Actor 2009 (''Ip Man) }}

height
weight lb	165
weight class	Lightweight Weltereight| height
style	Wushu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Amateur Wrestling, Wing Chun, Judo, Kickboxing
stance	Orthodox stance
rank	6th degree black belt in Taekwondo Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Medalist at world Wushu tournament
website	http://www.donnieyen.asia/ }}

Donnie Yen (born 27 July 1963) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist. Apart from being a well-known film and television actor in Hong Kong, Yen has also gained international recognition for appearing in many films together with other prominent and internationally-known actors such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

Yen is widely credited by many as the person responsible for popularizing the traditional martial arts style known as Wing Chun. He played the role of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the 2008 film ''Ip Man'', which was a box office success. This has led to an increase in the number of people taking up Wing Chun, leading to hundreds of new Wing Chun schools to be opened up in mainland China and other parts of Asia. Ip Chun, the eldest son of Ip Man, even mentioned that he is grateful to Yen for making his family art popular and allowing his father's legacy to be remembered.

Yen is considered to be Hong Kong's top action star; director Peter Chan mentioned that he "is the 'it' action person right now" and "has built himself into a bona fide leading man, who happens to be an action star." Yen is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts (MMA) into the mainstream of Asian culture, by choreographing MMA in many of his recent films. Yen has displayed notable skills in MMA, being well-versed in Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Seen as one of the most popular film stars in Asia in recent years, Yen is currently the highest paid actor in the whole of Asia.

Early life

Yen's mother, Bow-sim Mark (麥寶嬋), is a Wudangquan (internal martial arts) grandmaster, while his father, Klyster Yen (甄雲龍), is a newspaper editor. When Yen was two years old, his family moved to Hong Kong, and then to Boston, Massachusetts, United States when he was 11. His younger sister, Chris Yen, is also a martial artist and actress, and appeared in the 2007 film ''Adventures of Johnny Tao: Rock Around the Dragon''.

At a young age, under influence from his mother, Yen developed an interest in martial arts and began experimenting with various styles, including tai-chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. Yen focused on practicing wushu after dropping out of school. His parents were concerned that he was spending too much time in the Boston Combat Zone, that they sent him to Beijing on a two-year training program with the Beijing Wushu Team. When Yen decided to return to the United States, he made a side-trip to Hong Kong and met action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping there.

Yen also came from a family of musicians. His mother is a soprano, in addition to being a martial arts teacher in Boston, while his father is a violinist. Since young, he was taught by his parents to play musical instruments, including the piano. He also knows hip-hop dancing and breakdancing.

Career

Yen took on the role of a stuntman in his earliest films, ''Shaolin Drunkard'' (1983) and ''Taoism Drunkard'' (1984). At the age of 20, he took on his first acting role in the 1984 film ''Drunken Tai Chi'', and the film helped to make Yen more notable, even though it was not a critical success.

After filming ''Drunken Tai Chi'' and ''Tiger Cage'' (1988), Yen made his breakthrough role as General Nap-lan in ''Once Upon a Time in China II'' (1992), which included a dramatic fight scene between his character and Wong Fei-hung (played by Jet Li). Yen and Li appeared together again in the 2002 film ''Hero'', where Yen played a spear (or qiang) fighter who fought with Li's character, an unnamed swordsman. The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 2003 Academy Awards but lost to the German film ''Nowhere in Africa''.

In 1995, Yen starred as Chen Zhen (Cantonese: Chan Zan) in the television series ''Fist of Fury'' produced by ATV, which is adapted from the 1972 film of the same title that starred Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen. Yen reprised his role as Chen Zhen in the 2010 film ''Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen''.

In 1997, Yen started a production company called Bullet Films, and made his directorial debut in ''Legend of the Wolf'' (1997) and ''Ballistic Kiss'' (1998), in which he played the lead character. Yen went on to choreograph fight scenes and appeared in minor roles in some Hollywood films, such as ''Highlander: Endgame'' (2000) and ''Blade II'' (2002).

In 2003, Yen co-starred with Jackie Chan in ''Shanghai Knights''. His role of the antagonist, Wu Chow, was originally offered to Robin Shou, who played his on-screen nemesis in ''Tiger Cage 2'' (1990), but Shou turned down the offer due to scheduling conflicts and Yen took the role.

Yen choreographed most of the fight animation in the 2004 video game ''Onimusha 3'', which featured actors Takeshi Kaneshiro and Jean Reno. Yen continued to be active in the Hong Kong cinema in the 2000s, starring as Chu Zhaonan in Tsui Hark's wuxia epic film ''Seven Swords'', and as Ma Kwun in Wilson Yip's brutal crime drama film ''SPL: Sha Po Lang'' in 2005. Both films were featured at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. Later that year, Yen co-starred with Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue in Wilson Yip's ''Dragon Tiger Gate'', an adaptation of Wong Yuk-long's manhua series ''Oriental Heroes''. Yen also worked as action choreographer in ''Stormbreaker'', starring Alex Pettyfer. Yen's continued to work with Wilson Yip in ''Flash Point'' (2007) in which he starred as the lead character and served as producer and action choreographer for the film. He won the Best Action Choreography at the Golden Horse Film Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards for his performance in ''Flash Point''.

In 2008, Yen starred in ''Ip Man'', a semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the Wing Chun master of Bruce Lee. ''Ip Man'' marked Yen's fourth collaboration with director Wilson Yip, reuniting him with his co-stars in ''SPL: Sha Po Lang'', Sammo Hung and Simon Yam. ''Ip Man'' became the biggest box office hit to date which featured Yen in the leading role, grossing HK$25 million in Hong Kong and 100 million yuan in China. In July 2011 it was announced that Yen and Cecilia Cheung would be cast in a Hong Kong remake of ''Mr. & Mrs. Smith'', titled ''Assassin Couple'', with a reported pay of 30 million yuan.

In August 2011, while Yen was on a vacation with his family in the United States, he reportedly received an invitation by producer Avi Lerner to star in ''The Expendables 2''. It was stated that Yen is considering the offer, and have many films at hand, and will not decide until he sees if the script appeals to him or not.

Action choreography

Apart from being an acclaimed martial artist and actor, Yen is also a world class action choreographer, and his on-screen choreography has been recognized through the numerous awards he has attained.

In recent years, Yen was successful in including mixed martial arts (MMA) into his action choreography in various films, a feat most other action directors have been unsuccessful at accomplishing so far. ''Flash Point'', a film fully choreographed by Yen using MMA was a huge success. His work as a choreographer won him "Best Action Choreography" awards at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards and the 2008 Golden Horse Film Awards. Another notable MMA film involving Yen is ''SPL: Sha Po Lang''.

Yen was the fight choreographer for the 2010 film ''Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen''. For this film, Yen mentioned that he included Jeet Kune Do elements as a tribute to Bruce Lee, who played Chen Zhen in the 1972 film ''Fist of Fury''. Furthermore he incorporated many MMA elements in the film, coupled with the utilisation of Wing Chun. MMA is an interdisciplinary form of fighting utilising elements of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing and wrestling, which is evident in the film. Yen also stated that the concept behind Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do is similar to that of MMA, hence the incorporation of many forms of martial arts is a necessity in this film.

Due to his notable success in action choreography, he is invited to choreograph most of his latest and upcoming films such as ''The Lost Bladesman'', ''Wu Xia'' and ''The Monkey King''.

Martial arts history, style and philosophy

Yen describes himself as a mixed martial artist, and this is evident from his style. He has learnt wushu since young, under his mother's teachings. He then went on to learn taekwondo in his teenage years, and currently holds a 6th degree black belt in taekwondo. When he was a teenager, he obtained a medal in a wushu competition held in the United States, known as Boston Combat Zone. The Beijing wushu team had a scouting in the United States at the same time, inviting Yen over to Beijing, China, where he began training at the Beijing Sports Institute, the same facility where champion-turned actor Jet Li trained, this is where the two of them crossed-path for the first time.

Yen later went on to discover and to seek knowledge on other martial arts style, he would later obtain belts from judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and went on to study the art of parkour, wrestling, Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing under various trainers. His exposure of mixed martial arts (MMA) was heightened when he went back to the United States from 2000 to 2003, while making his Hollywood debut, he also took time off to learn the various martial arts form. The progress was evident when he returned back to Asia, where he implemented his new found knowledge of MMA showcased in films such as ''SPL: Sha Po Lang'' (2005) and ''Flash Point'' (2007).

Near the end of 2007, Yen added a new arsenal to his martial arts system. He was offered the role of Wing Chun grandmaster and Bruce Lee's mentor, Ip Man, in a 2008 film named after the grandmaster. He worked hard and studied Wing Chun under Ip Man's eldest son, Ip Chun for 9 months before tackling the role.Ip Chun has since praised Yen for his effort, and complimented that Yen is a great martial artist and a fast learner, and has managed to grasp the full concept of Wing Chun much faster than anyone he has taught.

Yen believes in practical combat, and in his opinion, MMA is the most authentic type of practical combat. He has particular interest in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has obtained a purple belt. He has mentioned that he would have entered the Octagon, joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship if he did not have a recurring shoulder injury.

Yen's philosophy is that, even though there are many technical aspects of the various martial arts form, however the most effective form of combat is when the strength of the martial arts are added together, when various martial arts work together harmoniously. The essence of martial arts is the flow, the flow or images, the flow of music, the flow of communication between an artist and the audience. Martial art is a form of expression, an expression from your inner self to your hands and legs. Yen has a famous quote, "When you watch my films, you're feeling my heart."

Personal life

Yen married Cecilia Cissy Wang in Toronto in 2003. Wang was the winner of the 2000 Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant, including the "Miss Vitality" and "Miss Perfect Figure" awards. They have a daughter, Jasmine, born in 2004, and a son, James, born in 2007. In April 2010 his wife reportedly had a miscarriage.

Yen has stated that he is a big fan of the MMA organization Ultimate Fighting Championship, and has watched almost every UFC event available.

See also

Donnie Yen filmography

Cinema of Hong Kong

Cinema of China

References

External links

Donnie Yen's Sina blog site

"An Action Star Moves to the Lead," New York Times article

Donnie Yen profile page at Hong Kong Cinemagic

Category:1963 births Category:People from Guangzhou Category:Chinese choreographers Category:Hong Kong actors Category:Hong Kong film directors Category:Hong Kong film producers Category:Hong Kong kung fu practitioners Category:Hong Kong wushu practitioners Category:Chinese practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Category:Chinese Muay Thai practitioners Category:Living people Category:Taishanese people Category:Cantonese people Category:Best Action Choreographer HKFA Category:American film directors of Hong Kong descent Category:American people of Chinese descent Category:Hong Kong emigrants to the United States Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States

ar:دوني ين da:Donnie Yen de:Donnie Yen es:Donnie Yen fr:Donnie Yen ko:견자단 id:Donnie Yen it:Donnie Yen jv:Donnie Yen sw:Donnie Yen hu:Donnie Yen ja:ドニー・イェン pl:Donnie Yen ru:Донни Йен fi:Donnie Yen sv:Donnie Yen th:เจิน จื่อตัน tr:Donnie Yen vi:Chân Tử Đan zh:甄子丹

Wilhelm Walter Friedrich Kempff (25 November 1895 – 23 May 1991) was a German pianist and composer. Although his repertory included Bach, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, and Brahms, Kempff was particularly well known for his interpretations of the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert, both of whose complete sonatas he also recorded. He is considered to have been one of the great pianists of the 20th century.

Early life

Kempff was born in Jüterbog, Brandenburg, in 1895. He grew up in nearby Potsdam where his father was a royal music director and organist at St. Nicolai Church. His grandfather was also an organist and his brother Georg became director of church music at the University of Erlangen. Kempff studied music at first at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik at the age of nine after receiving lessons from his father at a younger age. Whilst there he studied composition with Robert Kahn and piano with Karl Heinrich Barth (with whom Arthur Rubinstein also studied). In 1914 Kempff moved on to study at the Viktoria gymnasium in Potsdam before returning to Berlin to finish his training.

As a pianist

In 1917, Kempff made his first major recital, consisting of predominantly major works, including Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata and Brahms Variations on a theme of Paganini. Kempff toured very widely in Europe and much of the rest of the world. Between 1936 and 1979 he performed ten times in Japan (a small Japanese island was named ''Kenpu-san'' in his honor). Kempff made his first London appearance in 1951 and in New York in 1964. He gave his last public performance in Paris in 1981, and then retired for health reasons (Parkinson's Disease). He died in Positano, Italy at the age of 95, five years after his wife, whom he had married in 1926. They are survived by seven children.

Wilhelm Kempff recorded over a period of some sixty years. His recorded legacy includes works of Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, Bach, Liszt, Chopin and particularly, of Beethoven.

He was among the first to record the complete sonatas of Franz Schubert, long before these works became popular. He also recorded two sets of the complete Beethoven sonatas (and one early, almost complete set on shellac 1926-1945), one in mono (1951–1956) and the other in stereo (1964–1965). He recorded the complete Beethoven piano concertos twice as well, both with the Berlin Philharmonic; the first from the early 1950s in mono with Paul van Kempen, and the later in stereo from the early 1960s with Ferdinand Leitner. Kempff also recorded chamber music with Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Fournier, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Paul Grummer, and Henryk Szeryng, among others.

The pianist Alfred Brendel has written that Kempff "played on impulse... it depended on whether the right breeze, as with an aeolian harp, was blowing. You then would take something home that you never heard elsewhere." (in Brendel's book, ''The Veil of Order''). He regards Kempff as the "most rhythmical" of his colleagues. Brendel helped choose the selections for Phillip's "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" issue of Kempff recordings, and wrote in the notes that he regarded Kempff "achieves things that are beyond him" in his "unsurpassable" recording of Liszt's first Legende, "St. Francis Preaching to the Birds." When pianist Artur Schnabel undertook his pioneering complete recording of the Beethoven sonatas in the 1930s, he told EMI that if he didn't complete the cycle, they should have Kempff complete the remainder - even though the two pianists took noticeably different approaches to the composer (for example, Schnabel preferred extremely fast or slow tempos, while Kempff preferred moderate ones). Later, when Kempff was in Finland, the composer Jean Sibelius asked him to play the slow movement of Beethoven's 29th Sonata, the Hammerklavier; after Kempff finished, Sibelius told him, "You did not play that as a pianist but rather as a human being."

Technique

As a performer he stressed lyricism, charm, and spontaneity in music, particularly effective in intimate pieces or passages. He always strove for a singing, lyrical quality. He avoided extreme tempos and display for its own sake. He left recordings of most of his repertory, including the complete sonatas of Beethoven and Schubert. He performed to an advanced age, often concertizing past his eightieth birthday. He appeared in 1979 with the Berlin Philharmonic, marking an association with them that spanned over sixty years.

As a teacher

In 1924–1929 Wilhelm Kempff took over the direction of the Stuttgart College of Music as a successor of Max Pauer. In 1931 he was co-founder of the Summer courses at Marmorpalais Potsdam. In 1957 Wilhelm Kempff founded “Fondazione Orfeo” (today: Kempff Kulturstiftung) in the south-Italian city Positano and held his first Beethoven interpretation masterclass at Casa Orfeo, which Kempff had built especially for this reason. Until 1982 he continued teaching there once a year. After his death in 1991, Gerhard Oppitz taught the courses from 1992-1994 until John O'Conor continued till today. Oppitz and O’Conor had both been outstanding participants of Kempff's masterclasses and were personally closely connected with Wilhelm Kempff. Other noted pianists to have studied with Kempff include Jörg Demus, Norman Shetler, Mitsuko Uchida, Peter Schmalfuss, Idil Biret and Carmen Piazzini.

Composition

A lesser-known activity of Kempff was composing. He composed for almost every genre and used his own cadenzas for Beethoven's Piano Concertos 1-4. His student Idil Biret has recorded a CD of his piano works. His second symphony premiered in 1929 at the Leipzig Gewandhaus by Wilhelm Furtwängler. He also prepared a number of Bach transcriptions, including the Siciliano from the Flute Sonata in E major, that have been recorded by Kempff and others.

Recordings

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 12, 19, and 20 (DG LP 138 935; released 1965; recipient of Grand Prix du Disque)

Autobiography

Kempff, Wilhelm. ''Unter dem Zimbelstern: Jugenderinnerungen eines Pianisten'' ["Under the Cymbal Star: The Development of a Musician" (1951)]. Laaber: Laaber Verlag, 1978.

References

External links

Obituary for Wilhelm Kempff, by B. John Zavrel

A discussion of Kempff's work, with a special emphasis on Beethoven, by Christopher Breunig, in Jeunesses Musicales

Wilhelm Kempff discography by Frank Forman

Video recordings of Kempff performances, youtube.com

Wilhelm Kempff playing the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Kempff home page, in German

Category:1895 births Category:1991 deaths Category:German classical pianists Category:German composers Category:Litteris et Artibus recipients Category:People from the Province of Brandenburg Category:People with Parkinson's disease Category:Members of the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art

be:Вільгельм Кемпф ca:Wilhelm Kempff de:Wilhelm Kempff es:Wilhelm Kempff eo:Wilhelm Kempff fr:Wilhelm Kempff ko:빌헬름 캠프 it:Wilhelm Kempff he:וילהלם קמפף nl:Wilhelm Kempff ja:ヴィルヘルム・ケンプ pl:Wilhelm Kempff pt:Wilhelm Kempff ro:Wilhelm Kempff ru:Кемпф, Вильгельм fi:Wilhelm Kempff sv:Wilhelm Kempff tr:Wilhelm Kempff zh:威廉·肯普夫

Coordinates	24°05′15.3″N46°37′44″N
Name	Sheryl Crow
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Sheryl Suzanne Crow
Parents	Bernice and Wendell Crow
Born	February 11, 1962 Kennett, Missouri, United States
Children	Wyatt (adopted)
Instrument	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano, keyboards, organ, accordion, harmonica, autoharp, hammond b3, wurlitzer, Moog bass, mandolin, mandola
Genre	Pop rock, alternative rock, roots rock, folk rock, country rock |
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, actress, activist
Years active	1986–present
Label	A&M; Records
Education	University of Memphis
Associated acts	Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Michael Jackson, Don Henley, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Dixie Chicks, Kevin Gilbert, Counting Crows, Bill Bottrell, Kid Rock, Sting, Liz Phair, Citizen Cope, Wolfgang Niedecken, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake
Website	Official Website }}

Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop. She has won nine Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

She has performed with The Rolling Stones and has sung duets with Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Michelle Branch, and Sting among others. She has performed backing vocals for Tina Turner, Don Henley and Belinda Carlisle, on her 1991 hit ''Little Black Book''. Crow has released seven studio albums, two compilations, and a live album, and has contributed to film soundtracks. She has sold 16 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide and her newest album, ''100 Miles from Memphis,'' was released on July 20, 2010. Recently she appeared on NBC's 30 Rock, ABC's Cougar Town, Disney Channel's ''Hannah Montana Forever'' and Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.

Early life

Sheryl Suzanne Crow was born in Kennett, Missouri, on February 11, 1962. Her father Wendell Crow is a lawyer and trumpet player, and her mother Bernice, a piano teacher. She has older sisters Kathy and Karen, and a younger brother Steven.

While studying at Kennett High School, Crow was a majorette and an All-State track athlete, winning medals in the 75-meter low hurdles. She also joined the Pep Club, the National Honor Society, National FFA Organization and Paperdoll Queen. She then enrolled at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition, Performance, and Education. While in college, Crow sang in a local band, Cashmere. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women, and the Omicron Delta Kappa Society. Later, Crow was awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Crow has stated that her musical inspirations are not restricted to one genre, as she likes absolutely anything with a drum beat. In 2008, she told Ellen DeGeneres that "If it didn't have a drum beat, you can just forget about it!"

Early career

After graduating from college, Crow worked as a music teacher at the Kellison elementary school, in Fenton, Missouri. Teaching during the day allowed her the opportunity to sing in bands on weekends. Later, she was introduced to local musician and producer Jay Oliver. He had a thriving studio in the basement of his parents' home, in St. Louis, and helped her by using her in advertising jingles. Her first jingle was a back-to-school spot for the St. Louis department store Famous-Barr. McDonald's and Toyota commercial jingles soon followed. She was quoted in a ''60 Minutes'' segment as saying she made $40,000 on her McDonald's commercial alone.

Crow toured with Michael Jackson as a backup vocalist during his Bad World Tour from 1987–1989, and often performed with Jackson on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." She also recorded background vocals for performances from various established artists including Stevie Wonder, Belinda Carlisle and Don Henley.

Crow also sang in the short-lived Steven Bochco drama, ''Cop Rock'', in 1990. The same year, her song "Heal Somebody" appeared in the film ''Bright Angel''. The following year, she performed "Hundreds of Tears," which was included in the ''Point Break'' soundtrack, and sang a duet with Kenny Loggins on the track "I Would Do Anything", from his album ''Leap of Faith''.

1990s

Scrapped debut album (1992)

In 1992, Crow recorded her first attempt at her debut album with Phil Collins' producer Hugh Padgham. The self-titled debut album was due to be released on September 22, 1992, but was ultimately rejected by her label. However, a handful of cassette copies of the album were leaked along with press folders to be used for album publicity. This album has been widely dispersed via file sharing networks and fan trading. In the meantime, Crow's songs were recorded by major artists such as Celine Dion, Tina Turner and Wynonna Judd.

''International success'' (1993–1997)

She then began dating Kevin Gilbert and joined him in an ad hoc group of musicians known to everyone in the group as the "Tuesday Music Club." Group members, Gilbert, David Baerwald and David Ricketts (both formerly of David & David), Bill Bottrell, Brian MacLeod, and Dan Schwartz share songwriting credits with Crow on her debut album, ''Tuesday Night Music Club''.

The group existed as a casual songwriting collective prior to its association with Crow, but rapidly developed into a vehicle for her debut album after her arrival. Her relationship with Gilbert became acrimonious soon after the album was released, and disputes arose about songwriting credits.

Crow appeared in the "New Faces" section of ''Rolling Stone'' in 1993. ''Tuesday Night Music Club'' featured many of the songs written by Crow's friends, including the second single, "Leaving Las Vegas." The album was slow to garner attention, until "All I Wanna Do" became an unexpected smash hit in the spring of 1994. As she later stated in ''People'', she found an old poetry book in a used book store in the L.A. area and used a poem as lyrics in the song. The singles "Strong Enough" and "Can't Cry Anymore" were also released, with the first song ("Strong Enough") charting at #5 on Billboard and "Can't Cry Anymore" hitting the Top 40. ''Tuesday Night Music Club'' went on to sell more than 7 million copies in the US and UK during the 1990s. The album also won Crow three Grammy Awards, in 1995: Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Female Vocal Performance. She performed at the 1994 and 1999 Woodstock Festivals, as well as the Another Roadside Attraction in 1997.

Crow supplied background vocals to the song "The Garden of Allah" from Don Henley's 1995 album ''Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits''.

In 1996, Crow released her self titled second album. The album had songs about abortion, homelessness and nuclear war. The debut single, "If It Makes You Happy," became a radio success and netted her two Grammy awards for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Album. Other singles included "A Change Would Do You Good," "Home" and "Everyday Is A Winding Road." Crow produced the album herself. The album was banned from sale at Wal-Mart, as in the "Love Is A Good Thing" lyric Wal-Mart is implicated (by name) of supplying guns to which children later gain access. In 1997, Crow contributed the theme song to the James Bond film ''Tomorrow Never Dies''. Her song "Tomorrow Never Dies" was nominated for a Grammy Award and Best Original Song Golden Globe. Crow collaborated on Scott Weiland's 1998 album, ''12 Bar Blues''.

''The Globe Sessions'' and ''Live'' (1998–1999)

In 1998 Crow released ''The Globe Sessions''. During this period, she discussed in interviews having gone through a deep depression, and there was speculation about a brief affair with Eric Clapton. The debut single from this album, "My Favorite Mistake," was rumored to be about him, although Crow claims otherwise about a philandering ex-boyfriend. Crow has refused to say who the song was about telling Billboard Magazine on the release of her album. "Oh, there will be just so much speculation, and because of that there's great safety and protection in the fact that people will be guessing so many different people and I'm the only person who will ever really know. I'm really private about who I've had relationships with, and I don't talk about them in the press. I don't even really talk about them with the people around me." Despite the difficulties in recording the album, Crow told the BBC in 2005 that: "My favorite single is 'My Favorite Mistake,' it was a lot of fun to record and it's still a lot of fun to play." The album won Best Rock Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards. It was re-released in 1999, with a bonus track, Crow's cover of the Guns N' Roses song "Sweet Child o' Mine," which was included on the soundtrack of the film ''Big Daddy''. The song won the 1999 Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Other singles included "There Goes the Neighborhood," "Anything But Down," and "The Difficult Kind." Crow won Grammy best female rock vocal performance for "There Goes the Neighborhood" in 2001. ''The Globe Sessions'' peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart, achieving US sales of 2 million as of January 2008.

Later in 1998, Crow took part in a live concert in tribute to Burt Bacharach, in which she contributed vocals on One Less Bell to Answer.

In 1999, Crow also made her acting debut as an ill-fated drifter in the suspense/drama ''The Minus Man'', which starred her then-boyfriend Owen Wilson as a serial killer.

She also released a live album called ''Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live From Central Park''. The record featured Crow singing many of her hit singles with new musical spins and guest appearances by many other musicians including Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, the Dixie Chicks, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton. "There Goes the Neighborhood" was included in the album, eventually winning the Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

2000s

''C'mon, C'mon'' and ''The Very Best of'' (2002–2004)

Crow had been involved with the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) since the late 1990s, performing at fund-raisers and befriending Sharon Monsky. In 2002, as a result of her friend Kent Sexton dying from scleroderma, she interrupted work on her new album ''C'mon C'mon'' to record the traditional hymn "Be Still, My Soul," to be played at his funeral. In November of that year it was released as a single, with the proceeds going to SRF.

Crow's fourth studio album, C'mon, C'mon was released in 2002, spawning the hit single "Soak Up the Sun." Second single "Steve McQueen" won the Female Rock Vocal Performance Grammy.

Crow opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, wearing a shirt that read "I don't believe in your war, Mr. Bush!" during a performance on ''Good Morning America'' and posting an open letter explaining her opposition on her website. Crow, performing with Kid Rock at the 45th annual Grammy Awards, wore a large peace sign and a guitar strap with the words "No War."

Crow recorded the song "Kiss That Girl" for the film ''Bridget Jones's Diary''. She also recorded a cover version of the Beatles' song "Mother Nature's Son" for the film ''I Am Sam''. Crow duetted with rapper Kid Rock on the crossover hit single "Picture." She also assisted Rock on the track "Run Off to L.A."

Crow collaborated with Michelle Branch on the song "Love Me Like That" for Branch's second album, ''Hotel Paper'', released in 2003. Crow was featured on the Johnny Cash album ''American III: Solitary Man'' in the song "Field of Diamonds" as a background vocalist, and also played the accordion for the songs "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Mary of the Wild Moor."

In 2003, Crow released a greatest hits compilation called ''The Very Best of Sheryl Crow''. It featured many of her hit singles, as well as some new tracks. Among them was the ballad "The First Cut is the Deepest" (originally a Cat Stevens song), which became her biggest radio hit since "All I Wanna Do." She also released the single "Light In Your Eyes," which received limited airplay. "The First Cut is the Deepest" earned her two American Music Awards for Best Pop/Rock Artist and Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year, respectively.

In 2004, Crow appeared as a musical theater performer in the Cole Porter biopic ''De-Lovely''.

''Wildflower'' (2005–2007)

Her fifth studio album ''Wildflower'' was released in September 2005. Although the album debuted at #2 on the ''Billboard'' charts, it received mixed reviews and was not as commercially successful as her previous albums. In December 2005, the album was nominated for a Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy, while Crow was nominated for a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy for the first single "Good Is Good." However, she ultimately lost in both categories to Kelly Clarkson. The album got a new boost in 2006 when the second single was announced as "Always on Your Side," re-recorded with British musician Sting and sent off to radio, where it was quickly embraced at Adult Top 40. The collaboration with Sting resulted in a Grammy-nomination for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. As of January 2008, ''Wildflower'' has sold 949,000 units in the U.S.

In 2006, Crow contributed the opening track, "Real Gone," to the soundtrack for Disney/Pixar's animated film ''Cars''. Crow was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in mid-February 2006, her doctors stating that "prognosis for a full recovery is excellent."

Crow's first concert after her cancer diagnosis was on May 18 in Orlando, Florida where she played to over 10,000 information technology professionals at the SAP Sapphire Convention. Her first public appearance was on June 12, when she performed at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The singer also appeared on ''Larry King Live'' on CNN on August 23, 2006. In this show she talked about her comeback, her breakup with Lance Armstrong, her past job as Michael Jackson's backup singer, and her experience as a breast cancer survivor.

In late 2006, Crow was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the song "Try Not To Remember" (Best Original Song category) from the film ''Home of the Brave''.

Crow wrote a foreword for the book ''Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips'', author Kris Carr's book that was based on her 2007 documentary film ''Crazy Sexy Cancer''. Crow contributed her cover of the Beatles's "Here Comes the Sun" on the ''Bee Movie'' soundtrack in November 2007. She contributed background vocals to the Ryan Adams song "Two" from the album ''Easy Tiger''.

''Detours'' (2008–2009)

Crow returned with her sixth studio album ''Detours'', which was released on February 5, 2008. ''Detours'' debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 92,000 copies in its first week and an additional 52,000 copies in its second week.

''Detours'' was recorded at Crow's Nashville farm. Her son, Wyatt, makes an appearance on the song "Lullaby for Wyatt," which is featured in the movie ''Grace Is Gone''. "The songs are very inspired by the last three years of events in my life," Crow said of a time that found her battling breast cancer and splitting with partner Lance Armstrong.

"Shine Over Babylon" was the first promotional single from the album (download only). The first 'official' single to be released from the album was "Love Is Free," followed by "Out of Our Heads."

A liberal political activist, she endorsed Barack Obama for the United States Presidential Election and later performed on the 4th and last day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Crow has also recorded a studio version of "So Glad We Made It" for the "Team USA Olympic Soundtrack" in conjunction with the 2008 U.S. Olympic team sponsors AT&T.; Crow also stated that $1 of each ticket purchased for her 2008 tour would be donated to the United Nations World Food Programme.

A&M; Records re-released Sheryl's debut album, "Tuesday Night Music Club" as a deluxe version 2CD/DVD set on November 17, 2009. The bonus CD contains unreleased songs and B-sides, and a new mix of "I Shall Believe." The DVD features music videos for each of the album's singles.

2010s

''100 Miles from Memphis'' (2010–present)

In 2010, Crow contributed the original spoken-word track "My Name is Mwamaroyi" to the Enough Project and Downtown Records' Raise Hope for Congo compilation. Proceeds from the compilation fund efforts to make the protection and empowerment of Congo’s women a priority, as well as inspire individuals around the world to raise their voice for peace in Congo.

A&M; Records released Crow's seventh studio album, ''100 Miles from Memphis'', on July 20, 2010. The album has a classic soul vibe and features lead single "Summer Day." ''100 Miles from Memphis'' (released July 20 on A&M; Records), the distance from her hometown to the music mecca, is an ode to her formative memories of music - and one that the label hopes can inspire young music fans to investigate the landscape beyond processed pop and Auto-Tune.

Later that year, she joined Loretta Lynn and country singer Miranda Lambert on an update of Lynn's song "Coal Miner's Daughter" for the 2010 album Coal Miner's Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. The song was later performed on the 44th Annual Country Music Awards in November.

Sheryl's eighth studio album is in the works and is said to have more country flavor. Sheryl explained the album will be out early 2012.

Personal life

The 2002 release of the album C'mon C'mon by Sheryl Crow features the song Safe and Sound which is dedicated to Owen Wilson (boyfriend at that time) in the liner notes and said to be an autobiographical account of their relationship.

Crow began dating cyclist Lance Armstrong in 2003. The couple announced their engagement in September 2005 and their split in February 2006. Immediately following her split from Lance Armstrong, Crow was treated for breast cancer at a Los Angeles-based facility by breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk. Crow had "minimally invasive" surgery in late February 2006, followed by radiation therapy.

On May 11, 2007, Crow announced on her official website that she had adopted a two-week-old boy named Wyatt Steven Crow. The child was born on April 29, 2007. She and Wyatt live on a farm outside Nashville, Tennessee.

On June 4, 2010, Crow announced that she adopted another boy named Levi James Crow, born on April 30, 2010.

In May 2011, it was reported that Sheryl and longtime acquaintance Doyle Bramhall II (musician, Sheryl Crow touring band member, and "100 Miles From Memphis" producer) began dating

Despite claiming to be an animal lover, Sheryl Crow performed at the opening night of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, after animal welfare experts urged her not to on account of the well documented animal cruelty at the event. Almost 13,000 people signed a petition calling on Crow not to perform.

She is the great-granddaughter of former congressman Charles A. Crow (1873–1938).

Discography

1993: ''Tuesday Night Music Club''

1996: ''Sheryl Crow''

1998: ''The Globe Sessions''

2002: ''C'mon C'mon''

2005: ''Wildflower''

2008: ''Detours''

2010: ''100 Miles from Memphis''

Filmography

1996: ''Live from London''

1998: ''The Minus Man''

1999: ''Rockin' the Globe Live''

2003: ''C'mon America 2003''

2003: ''The Very Best of Sheryl Crow: The Videos''

2006: ''Wildlower Tour: Live from New York''

2008: ''Sheryl Crow – Live''

2009: ''30 Rock'' 3x22 – ''Kidney Now!''

2010: ''Cougar Town'' 1x18; 1x19; 1x20

2010: ''Hannah Montana'' 4x5

2011: ''Miles From Memphis – Live at The Pantages Theatre''

Books

2011: ''If It Makes You Healthy'' with ''Chuck White''

See also

List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart

References

External links

Official Website

Sheryl Crow's interview on National Public Radio's ''Fresh Air''

Sheryl Crow interview on Bmore Tunes

Sheryl Crow Interview – Billboard En Español

Sheryl Crow Launches Her Own Denim Brand

Sheryl Crow at VH1.com

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:People from Kennett, Missouri Category:American anti–Iraq War activists Category:American acoustic guitarists Category:American bass guitarists Category:American country guitarists Category:American country singers Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American female guitarists Category:American female singers Category:American mezzo-sopranos Category:American pop pianists Category:American pop singers Category:American rock guitarists Category:American rock singers Category:American schoolteachers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:Breast cancer survivors Category:BRIT Award winners Category:American people of English descent Category:Female rock singers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Musicians from Missouri Category:University of Missouri alumni Category:American television actors

an:Sheryl Crow bg:Шерил Кроу cs:Sheryl Crow da:Sheryl Crow de:Sheryl Crow es:Sheryl Crow fa:شریل کرو fr:Sheryl Crow ga:Sheryl Crow id:Sheryl Crow it:Sheryl Crow he:שריל קרואו ka:შერილ კროუ lt:Sheryl Crow my:ရှယ်ရီ ခရိုး nl:Sheryl Crow ja:シェリル・クロウ no:Sheryl Crow pl:Sheryl Crow pt:Sheryl Crow ru:Кроу, Шерил sc:Sheryl Crow simple:Sheryl Crow sr:Шерил Кроу fi:Sheryl Crow sv:Sheryl Crow th:เชอรีล โครว์ tr:Sheryl Crow zh:雪瑞兒·可洛

Coordinates	24°05′15.3″N46°37′44″N
name	Alexandra Stan
alt	Alexandra Stan
nickname	Stanny, ALE(a-lee)
years active	2009–present
background	solo_singer
birth name	Alexandra Stan
birth date	June 10, 1989
origin	Constanța, Romania
label	Maan Music, Media Pro Music, Ultra Records
instrument	Vocals
genre	House, pop, dance, R&B;
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician, entertainer, model, dancer
associated acts	Carlprit
website	}}

Alexandra Stan (born June 10, 1989 in Constanța, Romania) is a Romanian singer-songwriter.

Biography

Alexandra Stan was born on June 10, 1989 in Constanța, Romania. She studied at the "Traian" Lyceum in Constanța and as of 2011 she is enrolled in her second year as a student at the Faculty of Management Andrei Saguna. In the past she has participated in various music-related contests with a notable appearance at the Mamaia Festival section interpretation.

In 2009, she released her debut promotional single, "Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)" The following year her first official single was released, "Mr. Saxobeat", which reached number one on the Romanian Airplay Chart in November 2010. The song also reached the top spot on the Romanian Top 100. From then on it slowly began to climb the charts in Europe, becoming an international hit, peaking within the top 10 in over 20 countries. "Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)" served as her second single in US and Canada, released in May 2011. Her second single worldwide is "Get Back (ASAP)", which is currently climbing the charts and peaked at number four Romania.

Discography

Albums

! Album Title	! Album details
''Saxobeats''		* Release: September 9, 2011	* Label: Columbia Records	* Format: [[Compact Disc

Singles

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Song ! scope="col" colspan="11"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|ROM !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|AUT !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|CAN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|FRA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|GER ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|IRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ITA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|SPA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | SWI ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"|US |- | 2009 ! scope="row"| "Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)" | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |rowspan="5"| ''Saxobeats'' |- | rowspan="1"|2010 ! scope="row"| "Mr. Saxobeat" | 1 || 1 || 25 || 6 || 1 || 6 || 1 || 3 || 1 || 3 || 38 | ITA: 2× Platinum SWE: Platinum DEN: Gold SPA: Gold |- | rowspan="3"|2011 ! scope="row"| "Get Back (ASAP)" | 4 || — || — || 18 || — || — || 37 || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "One Million" (featuring Carlprit) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |}

Music videos

Year	Song	Album
	"Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)"
	"Mr. Saxobeat"
	"Get Back (ASAP)"

References

External links

Alexandra Stan at Music-covers

Fans Website

German Fan Website

Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:People from Constanţa Category:Romanian dance musicians Category:Romanian female singers

cs:Alexandra Stan da:Alexandra Stan de:Alexandra Stan es:Alexandra Stan fr:Alexandra Stan hy:Ալեքսանդրա Ստան he:אלכסנדרה סטן hr:Alexandra Stan it:Alexandra Stan hu:Alexandra Stan nl:Alexandra Stan ja:アレクサンドラ・スタン no:Alexandra Stan pl:Alexandra Stan pt:Alexandra Stan ro:Alexandra Stan ru:Стан, Александра fi:Alexandra Stan sv:Alexandra Stan tr:Alexandra Stan uk:Александра Стан