MARCO BORSATO

Marco Borsato

Dutch singer with an Italian background who initially sings in the Italian language, but later switches to Dutch. He is the most successful Dutch-language singer of the '90s.
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Instruments

zang

Former members

Ferry van Leeuwen   achtergrondzang
John Ewbank   arrangeur, toetsinstrumenten
Will Maas   achtergrondzang, orgel
Rob Winter   gitaar
Wiboud Burkens   toetsinstrumenten
Sandra Sahupala   percussie
Nico Brandsen   orgel
Giovanni Caminita   basgitaar
Jan Tekstra   gitaar
Jeroen Rietbergen   toetsinstrumenten
Tessa Boomkamp   achtergrondzang
Ton Dijkman   drums
Kees ten Dam   saxofoon
Nick Bult   toetsinstrumenten
Eric van de Bovenkamp   toetsinstrumenten
Lodewijk van Gorp   achtergrondzang
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Mentioned in the biography of

1951   Lex Bolderdijk
1980   Henny Huisman
1985   Leonie Meijer
1987   First Show Band
1988   Kees ten Dam
1989   Hans Hollestelle
1990   Jan Tekstra
1990   John Ewbank
1990   Koen van Baal
1990   Leo Driessen
1990   Linda Snoeij
1991   Han Kooreneef
1991   Patrick Mühren
1991   Rob Winter
1991   Ton Dijkman
1992   Adriana Romijn
1992   Nadieh
1993   Jel Jongen
1994   Giovanni Caminita
1994   Robby Valentine
1995   Henny Huisman
1995   Nico Brandsen
1996   Do
1996   Gerard Joling
1996   Mrs. Einstein
1996   Will Maas
1997   Bart van Veen
1997   Ferry van Leeuwen
1997   Minyeshu
1997   Ro & Paradise Funk
1997   Tom Bakker
1997   Wiboud Burkens
1998   Anouk
1998   Berget Lewis
1998   De Kast
1999   Arno Kolenbrander
1999   Henk Westbroek
2000   Alberto Caicedo
2000   De Kast
2000   Jody Bernal
2000   Twarres
2001   Jeroen Rietbergen
2001   K-otic
2001   Tessa Boomkamp
2002   Allard Buwalda
2002   Sita
2002   VanVelzen
2003   Frank Boeijen
2004   Ali B
2004   Do
2004   Esther Hart
2004   Henk Pool
2004   Veldhuis & Kemper
2005   Tasha's World
2006   Dick Bakker
2007   Nando Eweg
2007   Nick & Simon
2008   Daniël Boissevain
2008   Jeroen van der Boom
2008   Julya Lo'ko
2010   Guus Meeuwis
2010   Krystl
2010   Phaedra Kwant
2011   Laura Jansen
2013   Ali B
2013   Ronnie Flex
2013   Trijntje Oosterhuis
2014   O'G3NE
2015   Miss Montreal
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Biography Marco Borsato

Dutch singer with an Italian background who initially sings in the Italian language, but later switches to Dutch. He is the most successful Dutch-language singer of the '90s.

1989

Marco takes singing lessons and also takes part in several talent shows.

Gerard Joling Karin Bloemen

1990

Borsato wins the finals of the Soundmixshow, a Dutch TV show in which candidates can show their musical skills. Record company Polydor offers him a contract and he records the song At This Moment, which shoots to number 5 in the charts. In August Emozioni, an album in the Italian language, comes out.

1991

The album Sento is released, but sales are disappointing and Marco is advised to start singing in the Dutch language.

1992

The same thing happens with Borsato's new album Giorno Per Giorno.

1993

In the meantime the composers Jan Tekstra, Han Kooreneef, Leo Driessen and John Ewbank work on new songs that are adaptations of Italian pop songs.

Gordon Jan Tekstra John Ewbank Leo Driessen

1994

The single Dromen Zijn Bedrog ('Dreams Are a Delusion') is released and shoots straight to the top of the charts where it will stay for the next 13 weeks. The CD Marco, which is sang in the Dutch language, is released and in November the second single Waarom Nou Jij? ('Why You?') also tops the charts.

Leo Driessen

1995

The CD Als Geen Ander ('Like No One Else') is released. The singles Je Hoeft Niet Naar Huis Vannacht ('You Don't Have To Go Home Tonight') and Kom Maar Bij Mij ('Come To Me') are Top 10 hits.

1996

Both Ik Leef Niet Meer Voor Jou (I Don't Live My Life for You') and De Waarheid ('The Truth') are chart toppers.

In De Steen John Ewbank

1997

The album De Waarheid is released and sells over half a million copies within only a few weeks. Marco records the duet Wereld Zonder Jou ('World Without You') with Trijntje Oosterhuis from Total Touch.

Total Touch Trijntje Oosterhuis

1998

Borsato receives TMF Awards in the categories Best Singer and Best Album (De Waarheid). He is also awarded with two Edison Music Awards for Best Singer and Best Single (Wereld Zonder Jou). The single De Bestemming ('The Destination') becomes platinum. The album itself becomes quintuple platinum.

John Ewbank Total Touch Trijntje Oosterhuis

1999

Borsato and composer John Ewbank receive a Gouden ('Golden') Harp. The single Binnen ('Inside') hits the top spot at Christmas.

Ferry van Leeuwen Jan Tekstra John Ewbank

2000

The album Luid En Duidelijk ('Loud and Clear') is released. Due to problems with the record company it takes several months before his next single Wat Is Mijn Hart ('What's My Heart') is released.

Frank Boeijen Twarres

2001

For the third year in a row Borsato is the best selling Dutch artist. In February he receives an Edison Music Award in the category Best Singer Nationally.

Sita

2002

With newcomer Sita he sings the official tune for the Royal Wedding on February 2. With this single Lopen Op Het Water ('Walking On The Water') he breaks the record for weeks at number 1 by a Dutch artist. All 'n' all Borsato has spent some 23 weeks at the top slot in his career so far. His new album, the sampler Onderweg (Under Way') marks his third number 1 chart entry. In June Borsato becomes the first Dutch artist ever to play three consecutive (sold out) shows at Rotterdam's De Kuip/Feyenoord Stadium (approximately 45.000 ticket buyers per night). Also, he is the first Dutch artist to receive a gold DVD album. He tops the list of box office hits in 2002. His three 'Kuip shows' and his theatre tour pull in 157.216 fans.

2003

On February 24 Marco Borsato and Stef Collignon (managing-director Universal Music) receive the Export Award 2002. On March 6 the singer receives an Edison Music Award in the category Best Dutch Singer. He also receives a TMF Award in the category Best Dutch Singer and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Borsato also donates a song for the benefit CD Hoop! Peace Songs Voor War Child. Borsato is one of the guest musicians during the two shows that fellow Dutch singer Frank Boeijen plays at October 10 and 11 at the Sportpaleis in Antwerpen, Belgium. Backing vocalist Tessa Boomkamp plays the drums (!) during Normaal's autumn theatre tour. Borsato receives an Academy Award for a TV show of the concerts in the Kuip stadium in Rotterdam. Also, the superstar announces that his upcoming 13-track album will be a DVD only. For each track a video will be shot by famous Dutch film directors such as Dick Maas, Johan Nijenhuis, Matthijs van Heijningen jr. and Theo van Gogh.

Frank Boeijen Normaal

2004

The single Voorbij ('Over') is a duet with singer Do. VI shoots to the top slot in the charts. At the launch party of the DVD Zien ('Watch') in Amsterdam's Tuschinski cinema, Borsato gets a Sky Radio Airplay Award. With17.500 'plays,' the man is the most played artist ever on the non-stop AC-formatted station, which is the market leader in the Netherlands. In March his peers choose him as Best Singer in the Netherlands. So he wins a so-called 'Duiveltje' ('Devil') award, a prize endorsed by the Dutch Rock & Pop Institute. At the annual TMF Awards, staged by the same-named MTV-owned music channel, he wins the Best Singer National award for the ninth time in a row. At the annual rain of titles on Queen Beatrix's (official) birthday day, Borsato gets a Royal decoration. In June he performs six nights at the Rotterdam Kuip to crowds of 50.000 fans. At his concerts in Rotterdam's Feyenoord Stadium Borsato sings a duet with upcoming star, Moroccan/Dutch hiphop artist Ali B. It marks Borsato's first collaboration ever with a rapper. On its release date in September the duet single Wat Zou Je Doen ('What Would You Do?') instantly enters at the top slot of the charts. To commemorate the city of Alkmaar's 750th anniversary, on October 9 Borsato performs live in his city of birth. The concert that takes place on the local horse track, is open to the entire city's population. At the end of the year Marco tops Mojo Concerts' list of best-attended shows of the year 2004. In the same year he's the most played local artist on Dutch radio beating Bløf, winners in the two previous years.

Ali B Bløf Do

2005

Once a winner, always a winner, on February 14 Marco Borsato wins Edison (industry) Awards in three different categories: Best Male Local Singer, Best Music DVD and (the public-voted) Best CD. In April he picks up his 'annual TMF award' - the 10th in just as many years. He is also honoured as Artist Of The Decade. On April 30, Queen's Day (the Queen's official Birthday) Borsato takes part in the show staged at the Malieveld in The Hague to commemorate Queen Beatrix's 25th Jubilee, in attendance of Her Majesty herself. From May 13-June 1 Borsato's Symphonica show is on the bill in Antwerp's Sport Palace. He is accompanied by 32-piece orchestra Guido and his Orchestra, conducted by Guido van Dieteren. During the Belgian TMF Awards Marco Borsato is awarded best international artist. On October 4, at the Friends For Warchild concert in Ahoy' Rotterdam, Marco Borsato sings the duet Vlinder ('Butterfly') with Tasha's World.

Tasha's World

2006

Early February the single Because We Believe, a duet with Italian singer Andrea Bocelli, is released. The song is written by Bocelli and David Foster, who's also written songs for Madonna, Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand. The song enters the charts at number one. It's Borsato's 9th number one song in the Dutch Top 40. During the 3FM Awards show in the Melkweg in Amsterdam, Marco Borsato wins an award in the category Best Vocalist. Late October/early November Borsato plays ten shows at the Gelredome stadium in Arnhem. The singer and his band are accompanied by GUIDO & His Orchestra, a 40-piece Dutch orchestra.

Bløf Esther Hart Frank Boeijen Herman van Veen Metropole Orkest MIR Paul de Leeuw Trijntje Oosterhuis Veldhuis & Kemper

2007

On 15th April wins two 3FM Awards: one for Best Live act and one for Best Single (Rood). On August 18 he performs live at the first edition of Flemish pop festival VTM Live in Ghent. On 3 October Borsato is part of the Friends For War Child Concert in Ahoy', Rotterdam.

2008

Borsato stars in the film Wit Licht (White Light). He plays a father whose looking for his son's friend who's been kidnapped by rebels. The film is set in an African country. Wit Licht is also the title of a new single, Borsato's next album (September) and a concert series at the Gelredome in Arnhem. The eight concerts, between 10 and 21 October, all sell out. Guest vocalists during the shows include Daniël Boissevain and Paul Carrack. The single Dochters (Daughters) is the album's third number one hit and Borsato's 14th single to reach the top of the Dutch charts. Marco Borsato, just like in 2004, tops the chart of Most Played Artist National / International, as published each year by SENA, the organisation that concerns itself with the rights of artists and record producers.

Daniël Boissevain

2009

Borsato wins two public choice awards during the Edison Music Awards: one for Best Album (Wit Licht) and one for Best Song (Dochters). During the 62th edition of the film festival in Cannes in May, the international edition of Wit Licht is released. The film's international title is called The Silent Army. It has been re-edited by director Jean van der Velde. During the launch of the website Top40.nl in June, Marco Borsato is awarded with the Number 1 Award for having the most number one hits in a row (nine in total). The Entertainment Group (TEG), of which Marco Borsato is shareholder, goes bankrupt in September. The bureau organises concerts, works with Dutch artists like Guus Meeuwis and Ilse de Lange, and is also responsible for the concert series Symphonica In Rosso. Of the three Symphonica concerts there were scheduled, this year with Diana Ross, only two take place. In order to be able to pay the artist of these two shows, Marco Borsato has to give two concerts himself at the Gelredome in Arnhem. The shows, called Borsato & Friends, sell out within 2,5 hours. The singer can be heard in the Dutch version of the French film Arthur And The Revenge Of Malthazard which premieres in December.

Photos Marco Borsato

Audio/Video Marco Borsato

Video Marco Borsato