Marija Naumova
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists:
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Marie N
- Genres: Vocal Music
Biography
Latvia's first-ever winner at the Eurovision Song Contest, Marie N was born Marija Naumova on June 23, 1973. A regular on Latvian TV talent shows during the mid-'90s and a star of a locally produced musical version of Theodore Dreiser's Carrie, she garnered further attention in 1997 at a concert marking the 100th birthday of George Gershwin. She signed her first recording contract the following year and released her debut album -- a collection of songs by Latvian composer Raimonds Pauls, sung wholly in Russian -- that same year. Shortly before the release of her second album, Ieskaties Acîs (Look Into My Eyes), Marie N was selected to perform at the Latvian Eurovision qualifying contest in 2000. Her "For You My Friends" ultimately finished a credible runner-up (to Brainstorm, who went on to finish third at the finals), but she confirmed her superstardom when Ieskaties Acîs won a gold disc within two weeks of release. (It went platinum within the year.) Marie N was again unlucky at the Eurovision qualifiers in 2001, despite overwhelming public support for her effort, "Hey Boy Follow Me," but her third album, Ma Voix, Ma Voie, featuring French-language versions of traditional Latvian songs, was another massive hit, and she was finally selected to represent her country at Eurovision in 2002, performing "I Wanna" while executing an astonishing dance routine. She proved the runaway victor, Latvia's first-ever Eurovision winner. Marie N's next album was released in both English- (On a Journey) and Latvian-language (Noslçpumi) versions. Since then she has released two further LPs, Nesauciet Sev lîdzi in 2004 and Another Dream in 2005, and starred as lead character Maria in a Latvian production of the musical The Sound of Music. 2005 also saw her elected a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. ~ Dave Thompson, RoviWikipedia on Answers.com:
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Marija Naumova
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| Marie N | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marija Naumova |
| Also known as | Marie N |
| Born | 23 June 1973 |
| Origin | Riga, Latvia |
| Genres | pop, jazz |
| Occupations | singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1995 – present |
| Website | MarieN.lv |
Marija Naumova (born 23 June 1973 in Latvia) is a Latvian singer. Under the stage name Marie N, she sings a broad range of music ranging from pop to musical theatre and jazz, and has recorded several albums, with songs in Latvian, French, English, Russian and Portuguese. In 2002 she won the Eurovision Song Contest for Latvia with her song "I Wanna".
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Contents
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Biography
Naumova was discovered by famous Latvian musician Raimonds Pauls in 1994 and after a year she performed on TV in searches for talent. She never won, but was noticed by the audience.
In 1998, she performed in a concert celebrating the 100 years jubilee of George Gershwin. In March 1998 she performed on stage in concerts with famous Latvian musicians, and one of those concerts was recorded on CD. That gave her career a boost and she began to participate in several music events, television and radio shows, and give interviews for Latvian newspapers.
Naumova's first solo album, which was completely in Russian, was released in 1999. In 2000 Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. Naumova was in the national finals but she became second behind Brainstorm. In 2001 she participated in the Latvian preselection again, singing "Hey Boy Follow Me", which was voted public favourite but wasn't chosen by the expert jury. Naumova had to wait another year before she finally was chosen to represent Latvia with "I Wanna", for which she also wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics.
In the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, her performance of "I Wanna" won the competition and gave Latvia its first ever Eurovision win.
According to author and historian John Kennedy O'Connor in his book The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History, despite its success at the contest, "I Wanna" gained the dubious distinction of being the first Eurovision winner that was not released outside of its own territory. Even in Latvia the single never reached the top 30.[1]
In November of her victory year she recorded two new solo albums: one in English, and one in Latvian. She presented the albums to the audience by a tour throughout Latvia.
Naumova co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 along with Renars Kaupers of the Latvian band Brainstorm, who came 3rd in the contest in 2000.
In 2004 Marie N successfully combined her singer's and actress' talent, in the lead role of the musical The Sound of Music.
In December Marie N's latest album "On My Own" was released, with songs in Latvian, French, English and Portuguese language. New compositions for Marie N are composed by Sergey Manoukyan, Ivar Must and Andrejs Jevsjukovs. Marie N has written several songs herself, as well. There are cover versions of several world-famous songs in the album – for example, two compositions which were originally written in French, but became very popular in English language.
Marija Naumova has a law degree from the University of Latvia. In 2005 she was chosen as the UNICEF goodwill envoy to Latvia.
As of 2012 she is on a musical hiatus to concentrate on her personal life. She is living in France with her family but still travels back and forth to Latvia.
See also
References
- ^ The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History. UK: Carlton Books. 2007. ISBN 978-1-84442-994-3.
External links
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Wikinews has related news: Interview with Maria Naumova in the run-up to Eurovision 2009 |
| Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XLwith "Everybody" |
Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 |
Succeeded by Sertab Erenerwith "Everyway That I Can" |
| Preceded by Arnis Mednis with "Too Much" |
Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 |
Succeeded by F.L.Y. with "Hello From Mars" |
| Preceded by Annely Peebo and Marko Matvere |
Eurovision Song Contest presenter (with Renārs Kaupers) 2003 |
Succeeded by Korhan Abay and Meltem Cumbul |
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