Kaya (Canadian singer)

For other people with the same name, see Francis Martin (disambiguation).
Kaya (Francis Martin)
Birth name Francis Martin Lavergne
Born August 28, 1968
Montreal, Quebec
Origin Canada
Genres pop, rock, spiritual music
Occupation(s) singer-songwriter, author
Years active 1980s–present

Francis Martin Lavergne (born August 28, 1968 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian musician and author.[1] He has recorded and performed under the stage names Francis Martin and, as of 2011, Kaya;[2] under the latter name and James K. Field, he has also published several works of spiritual literature.

History

After an early role in a touring production of Starmania,[3] he began recording in 1984,[1] but his first two albums met with little success. Between 1985 and 1987 he studied classical music at the École de musique Vincent-d'Indy in Outremont, while continuing with studio work and beginning to write songs himself.[3]

CBS Records signed him in 1988, the same year that he signed a writing contract with ATV Music Publishing.

Martin then recorded his third album in French, entitled Drôle de nuit, in New York, and scored his first radio hit with "Elle ne C plus".[4] He garnered a Juno Award nomination for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 1991,[5] and a Félix Award nomination for Pop-Rock Album of the Year in 1990.[6]

He went on to record his fourth album Quand on se donne, which was released on Sony Music in 1992, with producer Aldo Nova.[7] Four songs from this album, including "Rock It", "Tous les jours je pense à toi" and the album's title track "Quand on se donne", were hits in French-speaking Canada and the album was certified gold on March 11, 1993.[8] He was nominated for two Juno Awards in 1993: Best Selling Francophone Album[9] and Male Vocalist of the Year,[10] and "Tous les jours je pense à toi" was nominated for Pop Song of the Year at the 1993 Félix Awards.[11]

He followed up with a self-titled album in 1994, which was not as successful on the charts.

Following that album, Martin struggled with depression for several years.[12] He left the music business, and began writing spiritual literature under the pen names James K. Field and Kaya,[13] later launching his own publishing company.[2] He returned to recording in 2011, releasing an album of spiritual music, Born Under the Star of Change, under the Kaya name.[2]

Discography

Awards and nominations

References

  1. 1 2 "Kaya, dit l’Élu". Quartier Libre, February 9, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "Francis Martin, devenu Kaya, enseigne le bonheur par les rêves". La Presse, March 31, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "L'ex-chanteur Francis Martin troque le micro pour la plume et les rêves". L'Écho du Nord, December 13, 2008.
  4. ↑ "En dix questions: Kaya". L'Écho de Repentigny, February 10, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Yearly summary: 1991". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  6. ↑ Gala de l'ADISQ - 1990. ADISQ.
  7. ↑ "On the way up". The Gazette, October 3, 1992.
  8. ↑ Gold/Platinum Certification Archives. Music Canada. p. 326.
  9. ↑ "Yearly summary: 1993". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Yearly summary: 1993". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ Gala de l'ADISQ - 1993. ADISQ.
  12. ↑ "Francis Martin – alias Kaya - revient à la chanson". Quebec Hebdo, November 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Le chanteur Francis Martin devient Kaya l'écrivain". Le Réveil, December 18, 2008.
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