View source for Gary Chaw

{{Short description|Malaysian Chinese singer-songwriter}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Cao (Chinese surname)|Chaw (曹)]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{infobox person
|honorific_prefix    = 
| name               = Gary Chaw
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=MYS|size=100%|ASDK}}
| image              = GaryChaw2009.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Gary Chaw performing on 15 March 2009
| birth_name         = Chaw Pak Haw
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1979|7|9}}
| birth_place        = [[Kota Belud]], Sabah, Malaysia
| occupation         = Singer-songwriter
| years_active       = 2005–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Wu Sou Ling ({{zh|t=吳速玲|p=Wú Sùlíng}}) |2008-2022}}
| children           = 2
| awards             = {{awards|award=[[Golden Melody Awards]]|name='''Best Male Mandarin Artist''' 
2008 [[Super Sunshine (album)|''Super Sunshine'']]}}
| module             = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes
| p = Cáo Gé
}}
| module2            = {{infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| alias           = Gary Cao, Cao Ge
| origin          = [[Malaysia]]
| genre           = [[Mandopop]], [[R&B]]
| instrument      = Piano
| label           = [[Rock Records]]
| associated_acts = [[SENSATION (music project)|SENSATION]], [[MUSA's]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Gary Chaw
| j = Cou4 Gaak3
| birth_name = Chaw Pak Haw
| t2 = 曹佰豪
| j2 = Cou4 Baak3 Hou4
| c = 曹格
}}

'''Gary Chaw''' ({{zh|c=曹格|j=Cou4 Gaak3}}; born 9 July 1979 in [[Kota Belud]], Sabah, [[Malaysia]]), also known as '''Gary Cao''' or '''Cao Ge''' or by his alter ego '''Cao Xiaoge''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/here-comes-gary-chaws-alter-ego|title=Here comes Gary Chaw's alter ego|last=hermes|date=2019-06-24|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref> is a [[Malaysian Chinese]] singer-songwriter based in [[Taiwan]], who has had achieved success in Taiwan, Mainland [[China]], Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is renowned for his stage presence, wide vocal range, and rich voice. In addition, he composes for himself and other singers.

==Early life==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
Chaw lived with his grandfather since he was 11 months old as his parents separated when he was 9 months old.  He received his early education in Canada when he was 9. He later went on to continue his studies in Engineering at the [[University of Auckland]] in New Zealand.  However, he left New Zealand before completing his studies.  He can speak Mandarin, Cantonese, English, French, Hakka, Hokkien & Malay fluently.

==Career==

===Music===
In 2010 he joined BMA and has since been dubbed "Asia Best Male Singer" by the media. His most recent concert tour of Asia, "Welcome to My World" was a great success.  Chaw is renowned for his impressive vocal range, such that he was considered [[Androgyny|androgynous]] when he made his debut. He has often covered songs that ranged from [[tenor]], such as "Moon River", to songs that are [[mezzo-soprano]] range, such as "Ting Hai". Including chest and mix voices, his vocal range is from G3 to C6.  He also sang "My Way" by [[Frank Sinatra]] switching between low tenor to countertenor range.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK4ioTJZuYA Gary Chaw's reindition of "My Way"]</ref>

In 2008 he composed and sang a song for the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]] that was released in a Rock records CD called "Far away" (一起飞).<ref>Yesasia.com. "[http://www.yesasia.com/global/%E4%B8%80%E8%B5%B7%E9%A3%9B-2cd-dvd/1011129207-0-0-0-zh_TW/info.html Yesasia.com]." ''一起飛.'' Retrieved on 3 April 2010.</ref> The album was titled after the song he composed.  Other Rock Records artists that took part include [[Genie Chuo|Genie Zhuo]], [[2moro]], [[Alien Huang]], [[Tracy Zhou]].

In 2006 Chaw won Hong Kong [[TVB8]]'s Best Newcomer Singer award.<ref>Ent.people.com.cn. "[http://ent.people.com.cn/GB/1085/10632009.html Ent.people.com.cn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719145527/http://ent.people.com.cn/GB/1085/10632009.html |date=19 July 2011 }}." ''曹格成TVB8金曲榜新科霸主 勇夺六项大奖.'' Retrieved on 3 April 2010.</ref> His big break occurred with the release of his [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]] version of [[Karyn White]]'s 1988 song "[[Superwoman (Karyn White song)|Superwoman]]".  With this song, he won the Best Mandarin Male singer in the [[19th Golden Melody Awards]].<ref name="sina1" /> Since then he has released a number of albums.

Gary has written some chart-topping songs in Taiwan sung by [[S.H.E]], [[Cyndi Wang]], and [[Aaron Kwok]] (Aaron already had accepted songs written by him as early as his first EP, before Gary even started his career back in Malaysia).  In a recent interview with [[MTV]], Chaw admitted (fluently in English) that he is a shy guy who does not express himself well through words but relatively well enough in the songs he sings. His early influences came from admiration of [[Stevie Wonder]] and [[R. Kelly]].

===Early years===
Ting Hai, a song originally sung by [[A-Mei]], was also a song he sang at a KTV bar in Malaysia in its original key right in front of its composer and arranger, Michael Tu (涂惠源), and he became his reference and supporter to start his career in Taiwan back in 2001.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02OpURkS6k4 10 Point Hall of Fame – Gary Chaw performs Ting Hai, live with Michael Tu on keyboards]</ref> (The other two songs he sang that night was Dark Humor by Jay Chou and Duo De Ta by Faye Wong (Cantonese version of "SuperWoman.) In 2002 Chaw left his home in Malaysia to go to Taiwan with hopes of joining the entertainment show business.  He purchased a one-way plane ticket and brought with him only around [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]1,600 (about [[HK$]]4,000).<ref name="sina1">Sina.com. "[http://ent.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/8/3/1/429610/1.html Sina.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014105156/http://ent.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/8/3/1/429610/1.html |date=14 October 2010 }}." ''曾吃唱片公司閉門羹 曹格重遊傷心地憶述奮鬥史.'' Retrieved on 3 April 2010.</ref> He tried to get into numerous record companies who criticised him harshly for being ugly and lacking talent.<ref name="sina1" /> After many failures Chaw became an alcoholic, battled [[insomnia]], unemployment, suffered from severe depression, loss of friends and confidence.<ref name="sina1" /> He soon hit rock bottom when he attempted suicide by sedative overdose.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcMXMjRrBaM 10 Point Hall of Fame interview with Gary Chaw part 2 of 5 (Chinese)]</ref> It was only in 2004 that he was signed by [[Rock Records]] when he recovered from insomnia, but his alcohol-fuelled incidents still plagued him until 2013 when he finally decided to give up drinking.

One day Chaw went out to [[Shilin Night Market]]<ref name="sina1" /> and stumbled across a stray cat. He took this cat home and raised it since they both were unwanted by society.<ref name="sina1" /> He named it "Lin Lin" and wrote a song for the cat "The world's only you" (世界唯一的你).<ref name="sina1" /> From then on, his career completely changed. After three years of hard work, he signed with [[Rock Records]].<ref name="sina1" />

===Project SENSATION===
Approaching the end of 2011, Chaw, along with his producer & teacher, Michael Tu (涂惠源), launched "Project SENSATION" – a new experimental music project or the more appropriately, a new music label. At the same time the band released a limited debut single "All I Have to Do is Dream", solely available in the 1st mini-concert of SENSATION. The new-formed band members included Gary (vo.), and members from [[MUSA's]]: [[Martin Musaubach|Martin "Musa" Musaubach]] (piano), Lautaro "LuKa" Bellucca (bass & double bass) & Adriano "Gaofei" Moreira (drums & percussions)

In 2012 June, "Gary Chaw Project Sensation 1: JAZZ" released. Soon enough the band started their tour in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong during the summertime.

=== Competition Singer and in the Chinese market (2014-present) ===
In 2014, Chaw entered I Am A Singer 2, and was the first singer to be eliminated, but returned on the repêchage to finish in the top 5.

In 2015, Chaw entered The Chinese version of The Masked Singer, using the mask of [[Sun Wukong]] as a disguise, but was instantly recognised by fans online due to his previous performances in other competitions or appearances. He was the first replacement singer, and came second in leg 2, while being eliminated in the first round in legs 3 and 4, meaning he is at risk of being eliminated from the competition in leg 5.

==Personal life==
In 2008, Chaw married Taiwanese Wu Sou Ling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/10/30/singer-chaw-marries-taiwanese-girlfriend|title=Singer Chaw marries Taiwanese girlfriend|date=2008-10-30|website=The Star Online|language=en}}</ref> They have a son named Joe and a daughter named Grace,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.todayonline.com/8days/sceneandheard/entertainment/look-how-pretty-gary-chaws-super-cute-daughter-has-become|title=Look At How Pretty Gary Chaw's Super Cute Daughter Has Become|website=TODAYonline}}</ref> whose godfather is [[Alien Huang]]. In 2014, Chaw and his kids participated in season 2 of [[Where Are We Going, Dad? (TV series)|Where Are We Going, Dad?]].

Chaw admitted to being bipolar<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kkbox.com/sg/en/column/interviews-0-238-1.html|title=Malaysian Singer Gary Chaw: Living With Bipolar}}</ref> and credited his wife for being supportive and penned the song "All I need" for his wife.
{{Blockquote|text=“I refused to accept that I had bipolar.I sought a second and third opinion before I finally came to terms with my condition."|sign=Gary Chaw|source=KKBOX}}On 26 Nov 2022, Chaw announced his divorce with Wu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gary Chaw & Wife Announce Divorce After 14 Years Of Marriage |url=https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/asian/gary-chaw-wife-announce-divorce-after-14-years-marriage-717026 |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=8 Days |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{|class="wikitable"
! Year !! width="220"|Award !! width="220"|Category !! width="200"|Nomination !! Result !! Ref
|-
| rowspan=6|2006 || 6th Global Chinese Music Awards || Outstanding Regional Artiste (Malaysia) || Gary Chaw ||{{won}} || align=center|<ref>[http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2006-10-28/20071303222.html 6th Global Chinese Music Awards winners list] 28 October 2006</ref>
|-
| Hong Kong TVB8 Awards || Best New Male Artist (Gold) || Gary Chaw || {{won}} || align=center|<ref>[http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2006-12-17/19131373424.html 2006 Hong Kong TVB8 Awards winners list] 17 December 2006</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|Guang Zhou Golden Melody Awards || Best New Male Artist (Gold) || Gary Chaw || {{won}} || rowspan=2 align=center|
|-
| Top 10 Golden Melodies || "Superwoman" || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2|Malaysia Entertainment Association || Best Composer || "少年" with [[Guang Liang]] ||  {{won}} || rowspan=2 align=center|
|-
| Top 10 Original Songs || "少年" with [[Guang Liang]] || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=4|2007 || [[18th Golden Melody Awards]] || Best Male Mandarin Singer || Gary Chaw || {{nom}} || align=center|
|-
| 7th Music Chart Awards || Best New Artist || Gary Chaw || {{won}} || align=center|
<ref>[http://news.music.mop.com/yuewen/2007-04-08/10082.shtml 7th Music Chart Awards winners list] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212081141/http://news.music.mop.com/yuewen/2007-04-08/10082.shtml |date=12 February 2009 }} 8 April 2007</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|Metro Radio Mandarin Music Awards || Best Performance (最佳演繹獎) || Gary Chaw || {{won}} || rowspan=2 align=center|<ref>[http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2007-08-04/17571663821.shtml 2007 Metro Radio Mandarin Music Awards winners list] 4 August 2007</ref>
|-
| Best Karaoke Song || "兩隻戀人" (Two Lovers)|| {{won}}
|-
| 2008 || [[19th Golden Melody Awards]] || Best Male Mandarin Singer || Gary Chaw || {{won}} || align=center|
|}

==Discography==
*''[[Gary Chaw (album)|Self-titled album]] 曹格同名專輯'' (2001)
*''[[Blue (Gary Chaw album)|Blue]] 格格 Blue'' (2006)
*''[[Superman (Gary Chaw album)|Superman]]'' (2006)
*''[[Super Sunshine (album)|Super Sunshine]]'' (2008)
*''[[Supermarket (Gary Chaw album)|Supermarket]]'' (2009)
*''[[Back in Control]] 曹之在我'' (2010)
*''[[Sensation (EP)|Sensation]]'' (EP) (2011)
*''[[Gary Chaw Project Sensation 1: JAZZ]]'' (2012)
*''[[Hollywood Zoo]]'' (2012)
*''Super Junior'' (2019)

==Filmography==
* ''Where Are We Going? Dad 2'' (2015)
* ''Let's Go!'' (2011)
* ''[[Ice Kacang Puppy Love]] 初戀紅豆冰'' (2010)

<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4690634/ Gary Chaw at imdb.com]</ref>
<ref>[http://chinesemov.com/actors/Gary%20Chaw.html Gary Chaw at chinesemov.com]</ref>

== Honours ==
* {{flag|Sabah}} :
** [[File:MY-SAB Order of Kinabalu - ASDK-ADK-BSK-BK.svg|50px]] Companion of the [[Order of Kinabalu#Companion|Order of Kinabalu]] (ASDK) (2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/05/kota-belud-singer-gary-chaw-honoured-with-datukship|title=Kota Belud singer Gary Chaw honoured with Sabah's third highest honour|date=5 October 2024|website=www.thestar.com.my}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223090053/http://www.dfm.com.tw/artist/gary/ Official web site]
*[http://blog.pixnet.net/garyblue Gary Chaw official blog]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090211111856/http://www21.sbs.com.au/alchemy/index.php?pg=ct&ct=1&sc=2&id=550 Gary Chaw radio interview on Alchemy's Asian Pop Show SBS Radio in English 2008]
{{Golden Melody Awards for Best Mandarin Male Singer}}
{{Hunan Television I Am a Singer Contestants}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaw, Gary}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Sabah]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Cantonese descent]]
[[Category:Malaysian expatriates in Taiwan]]
[[Category:People from Kota Belud District]]
[[Category:University of Auckland alumni]]
[[Category:Malaysian Mandopop singers]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Hakka descent|Chaw, Gary]]
[[Category:Malaysian male pop singers]]
[[Category:Malaysian rhythm and blues singers]]
[[Category:Malaysian male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Malaysian singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Malaysian people of Chinese descent]]