Versatile voice

Tan Jing is an unconventional army singer, with a wide taste in music ranging from Chinese folk and pop songs to foreign soul, pop and R&B. Zou Hong / China Daily

Tan Jing gives a performance at the Bird's Nest stadium on Sept 3 to celebrate the return of Chinese athletes from the London Olympic Games. Lin Hui / for China Daily

Tan Jing has come a long way. From being a PLA singer, she has performed at the Beijing and London Olympics, London's Royal Albert Hall and recently, at the United Nations headquarters. Chen Nan catches up with the talented singer.

Tan Jing is perhaps the first person to sing while giving a speech at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

She was there on Aug 7 to be appointed Sino-American cultural ambassador by Sino-American Culture and Arts Foundation, and Sino-American Friendship Association.

"I was supposed to give a speech but when I arrived at the meeting room, I decided to change the form of speech," Tan recalls during a recent interview which took place in a hotel lobby. Throughout the interview, Tan chuckles and jokes, projecting an image, which differs from her usual polished and serious self on stage.

"It was impromptu. Because it is hard to introduce Chinese folk music without music, I sang after introducing the background of each song."

The audience of 300 UN workers and Chinese-Americans were awestruck by her rendition of folk songs from the Tibet autonomous region and Shanxi province.

Tan also performed at London's Royal Albert Hall in November 2011 alongside Swedish pianist Robert Wells to create awareness of traditional Chinese folk music. Backed by performers from China and the UK, she sang a remix of traditional Chinese songs accompanied by the rocking rhythms of jazz piano, to appeal to local audiences. The improvised version sounded fresh and catchy, surprising even Tan herself.

"I found out that some audience members frowned at the program list before the opening of the concert, which made me so nervous. Most of the songs were strange to them but as I sang, I could see smiles appearing on their faces," she says. "That's the magical power of music which I always believe in. It is borderless."

The 35-year-old singer is a well-known name in China's music scene. Unlike many mainstream pop stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan or the mainland who rose to fame after participating in talent shows, Tan is a People's Liberation Army singer, who attracted attention after performing at Beijing's Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2008.

But she is an unconventional army singer, with a wide taste ranging from pop singer Faye Wong to foreign soul, R&B and pop singer Adele.

"I like crossover cooperation with musicians from various music genres, such as rock and rap. I also like combining different music genres with traditional Chinese folk music," she reveals. "I have never thought about singing techniques although I've received strict vocal training. I just sing the way I feel is right."

She is known for her appearances at national galas, such as the top rating CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Tan serves as a cultural ambassador for UEFA, promoting the European Cup in China in 2012. She recently performed at the London Olympics, where she sung many Olympic-related songs from Beijing.

Looking back at her university years, Tan describes herself as a rebellious spirit. Though folk music was her major, she liked singing pop songs and because of that, she was criticized by her professor and her parents, particularly her mother.

"My mother couldn't accept that her daughter loves singing pop songs and even participated in pop music competitions," Tan says. "But gradually, my parents relented because they discovered that it was useless to stop me from loving other music genres. And they realized that crossover singing is my style, and an added advantage."

Music has shaped Tan's life. Born and bred in Houma city, Shanxi province, both Tan's parents were singers in a local singing and dancing troupe and would bring her along to their shows. Spending most of her childhood behind the stage, Tan started piano lessons at 8. Her folk singer mother also gave her vocal training and at 11, Tan sang in public for the first time.

"My mom always tells me that I should go to Beijing to have proper singing training. When I was 7, she went to Beijing to study music at China Conservatory of Music but she only managed to stay for two years because I was very young. Up till this day, she regrets not being able to continue her music training in Beijing," Tan says.

In 1998, Tan followed her mother's footsteps and entered China Conservatory of Music to study folk singing, and soon was recruited to become an army singer.

"Patriotic education has always been there in my family. I feel proud to wear the military uniform," she says, adding that her most precious moments were those when she performed for soldiers on duty in remote places in the country.

She used to observe a busy performing schedule, playing various roles at governmental events. She has played the leading roles in Chinese operas, such as The White Haired Girl and Ode to Mulan, and musicals such as Crazy Show and In That Remote Place. She will play a goddess in the upcoming show, Attraction, directed by film director Lu Chuan that will be staged at the National Stadium on Sept 21.

According to Tan, the show contains a variety of elements, which will offer a grand visual treat.

Tan is very excited to be part of Attraction, because her role is without dialogue and requires her to use her acting skills. "I haven't gotten my costumes and don't know the details. I only know that I will walk out of a crystal ball and dance."