Nightbirde
Birth nameJane Kristen Marczewski
Also known as
  • Jane Marczewski-Claudio
  • Jane Claudio
Born(1990-12-29)December 29, 1990
Zanesville, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 19, 2022(2022-02-19) (aged 31)
San Clemente, California, U.S.
GenresPop, electropop, folk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
Years active2011–2022
Websitewww.nightbirde.co

Jane Kristen Marczewski (December 29, 1990 – February 19, 2022), better known by her stage name Nightbirde,[1] was an American singer-songwriter.

Previously having released two EPs and several singles, Nightbirde auditioned on America's Got Talent in 2021, where she received a Golden Buzzer for her original song "It's OK".[2] However, she decided to withdraw from AGT before the quarterfinals, because of worsening health due to cancer.[3] Marczewski died on February 19, 2022. She was 31 years old.[4][5]

Early life and education

Marczewski was born on December 29, 1990.[6] She was originally from Zanesville, Ohio,[7][8] and had three siblings. Marczewski started songwriting at age six,[9] when she helped her mother finish the lyrics for a song.[10] As a young Christian,[11] she volunteered and participated in various church ministries.[12]

Marczewski was a 2009 graduate of Licking County Christian Academy,[13] and graduated from Liberty University[14][15] (in Lynchburg, Virginia) with a marketing communications degree.[16]

Music career

Marczewski uploaded her first songs, and gave her first live performance in 2011, while a student at Liberty University.[17] She released a three-song EP in 2012, called Lines, on which she sang and played acoustic guitar.[10][16] In 2013, she released Ocean & Sky, a six-song EP that she funded on Kickstarter.[14]

Remaining in Lynchburg after graduating, Marczewski was a popular performer locally.[17] She returned to Ohio in 2014, and following her marriage, moved in 2015 to Nashville, TN (where she later resumed performing under her married name, Jane Claudio, with her husband acting as her producer).[18] Credited as Jane Marczewski-Claudio, she contributed music for the 2015 documentary film, Leonard Knight: A Man & His Mountain.[19]

Nightbirde adopted her professional stage name based on a recurring dream, in which birds sang outside her window at night in anticipation of the morning.[20] She explained: "It felt so poetic that these birds were singing as if it were morning, and yet there was no sign of it yet, and that’s what I want to embody."[21] When asked the meaning behind her name by a fan on Instagram, Nightbirde responded:

Woke up in the night three times, dreaming of birds singing in the dark. The third time, I went to the window and they were there singing morning songs at 3am. I wanted to be one of them singing as if it was morning, though I couldn't see it yet.[22]

Nightbirde's style, a mix of folk and pop,[14] evolved into electropop.[23] Her first single as Nightbirde was "Girl in a Bubble", released in March 2019, along with a music video.[24][23] In April 2019, she opened for Tori Kelly at Liberty University.[17][18] In August 2020, following her second cancer diagnosis and remission, she released "It's OK" (her most popular song).[25]

Nightbirde peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard "Emerging Artists" chart in June 2021.[26] Her song "New Year's Eve (The Remix)" peaked at No. 14 on iTunes in December 2021.[27] It also charted in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.[28][29][30] In March 2022, Nightbirde's song "It's OK" appeared during an episode of Good Trouble.[31] Her 2021 song "Brave" was officially released posthumously as a single in April 2022.[32] Her 2019 song "Fly" was officially released as a single by her family on July 4, 2022.[33]

America's Got Talent

In June 2021, Nightbirde performed during the 16th season auditions on America's Got Talent. During her appearance, she offered two inspirational statements:

It's important that everyone knows I'm so much more than the bad things that happen to me... You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy.[34][35]

Nightbirde subsequently received a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell for her performance of her original song "It's OK".[8][35][36] The song became No. 1 on iTunes[36][37] and No. 2 trending on YouTube.[15]

In August 2021, before she could compete in the show's quarterfinal round, Nightbirde withdrew from the competition because of worsening health.[15][38][39] Cowell encouraged her not to return to the competition, saying "You don't need the stress right now."[40][41] She appeared via remote broadcast during the live quarterfinals of AGT to express gratitude, and gave an update about her health on August 11, 2021.[42][43]

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Cowell said Nightbirde could have gone all the way and been crowned champion, if it had been possible.[44] In July 2022, Cowell ranked his favorite Top 15 Golden Buzzer moments in AGT history during season 17, and Nightbirde placed first.[45]

Personal life

Jane Marczewski was married to musician Jeremy Claudio.[18] The couple separated and divorced in 2020, after which she moved from Nashville to Huntington Beach, California.

Nightbirde sold merchandise on social media, and raised money for medical expenses via GoFundMe.[46][47] She also wrote poetry and painted prior to her death.[48]

Health and death

Marczewski was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017,[7][17][18] and declared cancer-free in July 2018.[24] Her cancer recurred in 2019,[21] and she was given three to six months to live,[7] but she was again declared cancer-free in 2020.[25][9] Prior to her America's Got Talent audition, Marczewski was told that the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, spine and liver.[49][1] With only a 2% chance of survival,[35] she gave health updates on CNN and social media.[50][51][52] According to Nightbirde: "I have a two percent chance of survival, but two percent is not zero percent. Two percent is something, and I wish people knew how amazing it is."[53]

At the age of 31, Marczewski died from the disease on February 19, 2022.[4][5] She was surrounded by family in her San Clemente residence.[20] The AGT judges and host released condolences on social media.[54][55] A celebration of life, which was livestreamed,[56] was held at Cornerstone Church in Ohio on March 4, 2022.[57]

Legacy and honors

The Marczewski family created the Nightbirde Foundation (nightbirdefoundation.org), a 501c3 nonprofit that helps encourage and support young women with breast cancer.[58]

America's Got Talent: Extreme honored Nightbirde at the end of the "Auditions 2" episode on February 28, 2022. A title card with a photo of her read: "In Memory of Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski".[59]

Inspired by Nightbirde, the Lebanese female dance troupe The Mayyas honored her during the audition episode of AGT's season 17 on June 21, 2022.[60] Nightbirde's song "It's OK" also played in the background during the beginning and ending of their performance; the Mayyas received the golden buzzer from Sofia Vergara.[61] The Mayyas would go on to win the season.

An emotional tribute to Nightbirde was highlighted during an America's Got Talent special on July 5, 2022. Judge Simon Cowell and host Terry Crews featured their favorite Golden Buzzer winners, with Nightbirde being ranked the best moment (No. 1), on the retrospective episode.[62]

Nightbirde's music was featured again during the America's Got Talent season 18 auditions in 2023, when the Mzansi Youth Choir from Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, auditioned with a cover of her song "It's OK" and received, for the first time in the show's history, a Golden Buzzer from the audience.[63]

Discography

EPs

As Jane Marczewski:

Singles

As Nightbirde:

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart position Album
US
Dig.
[66]		 AUS
Dig.
[67]		 CAN
Dig.
[68]		 UK Down.
[69]
"Girl in a Bubble"[70] 2019 ———— non-album singles
"Fly"[71][72] ————
"It's OK"[36] 2020 ————
"New Year's Eve"[73] ————
"It's OK" (Live at Maple House Sessions)[74] 2021 31121
"Brave" (Live at Maple House Sessions)[75][76] ————
"New Year's Eve (Yacht Money Remix)"[77] ————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Note: "Fly" and "Brave" were officially released as singles posthumously in 2022.[78][79][80]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Sandra Gonzalez (February 21, 2022). "'America's Got Talent' contestant Nightbirde dies after cancer battle". CNN. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "America's Got Talent Golden Buzzer Nightbirde Has Died After Long Health Battle". Parade. February 28, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Nightbirde's Dramatic 'America's Got Talent' Return Makes Simon Cowell Emotional". MSN.
  4. 1 2 Evans, Greg (February 21, 2022). "Jane "Nightbirde" Marczewski Dies: 'America's Got Talent' Star Was 31". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Mizoguchi, Karen (February 21, 2022). "AGT Star Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski's Family Is 'Devastated by Her Passing': 'Unimaginable Loss'". People. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  6. ↑ Brian Hofmann (February 21, 2022). "Family releases obituary for Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski". Nbc4i. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Johansen, Brad (June 16, 2021). "Nightbirde opens up about her battle with metastatic breast cancer, becoming 'AGT' sensation". Columbus, Ohio: WCMH-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2021 – via WKBN-TV.
  8. 1 2 Crone, Madeline (June 9, 2021). "Cancer Patient Nightbirde's Performance of 'It's OK' Leads Simon Cowell To Hit Golden Buzzer in Emotional 'AGT' Moment". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  9. 1 2 "About". Nightbirde. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Wells, Brent (November 28, 2012). "Focus On: Singer/songwriter Jane Marczewski". The News & Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Nightbirde, who shared music, message of hope on 'America's Got Talent,' dies at 31". Religion News Service. February 21, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Family releases obituary for Jane 'Nightbirde' Merczewski". WTRF-TV. February 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Nightbirde Dies at 31: Christian Singer and 'America's Got Talent' Contestant Inspired Many in Life". Christianity Daily. February 23, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Wells, Brent (May 29, 2013). "Love hurts: Singer/songwriter Jane Marczewski opens up on latest EP". The News & Advance. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 Williamson, Jeff (August 2, 2021). "Nightbirde cannot continue 'America's Got Talent' journey as 'my health has taken a turn for the worse'". Roanoke, Virginia: WSLS-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  16. 1 2 McAlpin, K. (May 1, 2012). "Student musician pursues dream". Liberty Champion. Liberty University. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Gillis, Casey (March 30, 2019). "Musician Jane Claudio, after beating cancer, will return to the stage for Lynchburg show". The News & Advance. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Ramsey, Suzanne (July 1, 2019). "The Resurrection of Jane". Lynchburg Living. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Leonard Knight: A Man & His Mountain (2015): Full Cast & Crew". Watchmode.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  20. 1 2 "'Jane was an amazing person:' Zanesville singer and AGT star 'Nightbirde' dies at 31". Yahoo! News. February 22, 2022.
  21. 1 2 Rebeca (August 2021). "Nightbirde, is it really okay?". Story Watch (interview). Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Meet Nightbirde, the "Girl in a Bubble"". Earmilk. March 26, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Castel, Gregory (March 26, 2019). "Meet Nightbirde, the 'Girl in a Bubble'". Earmilk. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  24. 1 2 Menard, Drew (June 12, 2019). "Taking Flight: Alumna musician Jane 'Nightbirde' Claudio on her rebirth after beating cancer". Liberty Journal. Liberty University. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  25. 1 2 Dulava, Valeria (August 21, 2020). "After a tumultuous year, Nightbirde finally declares 'It's OK' in an electrifying follow-up to her debut". Earmilk. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Emerging Artists". Billboard. August 8, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Nightbirde – 'New Year's Eve (The Remix)' – American iTunes Chart Performance". iTunes Charts. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Nightbirde – 'New Year's Eve (The Remix)' – Australian iTunes Chart Performance". iTunes Charts. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Nightbirde – 'New Year's Eve (The Remix)' – Canadian iTunes Chart Performance". iTunes Charts. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Nightbirde – 'New Year's Eve (The Remix)' – British iTunes Chart Performance". iTunes Charts. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Family of AGT Golden Buzzer Nightbirde Releases Her Song "Fly"". 2paragraphs.com. July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  32. ↑ "New Music from Late America's Got Talent Contestant Nightbirde Gets Summer Release". American Songwriter. June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Nightbirde's family to release music from the late star this July 4th". Aleteia. July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Nightbirde, cancer patient with 2 percent chance of survival, stuns with emotional 'AGT' song: 'I'm so much more than the bad things that happen to me'". Yahoo! Entertainment. June 9, 2021.
  35. 1 2 3 Dicker, Ron (June 9, 2021). "Cancer Patient Jane Marczewski Melts Simon Cowell With 'Stunning' Voice On 'America's Got Talent'". HuffPost. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  36. 1 2 3 Long, Andy; Thompson, Stephanie (June 10, 2021). "After AGT Golden Buzzer, original Nightbirde song 'It's OK' topping iTunes download charts". WCMH-TV. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Nightbirde's "It's OK" Reaches #1 on US iTunes Song Sales Chart Following Golden Buzzer-Winning "America's Got Talent" Performance". Headline Planet. June 10, 2021.
  38. ↑ Melas, Chloe (August 3, 2021). "'America's Got Talent' contestant departs show due to cancer battle". CNN. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  39. ↑ Ojomu, Nola (August 2, 2021). "America's Got Talent: Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act Nightbirde forced to pull out as cancer takes a 'turn for the worse'". Metro. UK. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  40. ↑ Naquin, Talia. "Simon Cowell shares update on Ohio singer 'Nightbirde' amid cancer battle". Cleveland, Ohio: WJW (TV). Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  41. ↑ Mizoguchi, Karen (September 14, 2021). "AGT: Simon Cowell on Nightbirde's Success After Her Exit, His 'Amazing' Frontrunner to Win Season 16". people.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Simon Cowell fights back tears as Nightbirde returns to 'AGT'". New York Post. August 12, 2021.
  43. ↑ "America's Got Talent: Nightbirde returns after dropping out". MSN.
  44. ↑ "Nightbirde, 'America's Got Talent' Singer, Dead At 31 Following Cancer Battle". Entertainment Tonight. February 21, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  45. ↑ O'Rourke, Jill (July 6, 2022). "Simon Cowell Counts Down His Favorite 'AGT' Golden Buzzers". Talent Recap. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Cowell's tribute, other honors for 'Nightbirde' Jane Marczewski". Nbc4i.com. February 23, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Nightbirde GoFundMe tops $630,000 to help pay medical bills after Ohio singer leaves 'America's Got Talent' amid battle with cancer". MSN.
  48. ↑ "AGT's Nightbirde had her fans feeling emotional with her newest post". Hello!. September 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  49. ↑ Keegan, Kayla (June 10, 2021). "'AGT' Star Nightbirde Delivers a Health Update After Sharing Cancer Diagnosis". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved September 20, 2021 – via MSN.
  50. ↑ "'It's a lot to carry but such an honor': Nightbirde describes fight to Chris Cuomo – CNN Video". CNN. November 24, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Cancer-battling singer 'Nightbirde' captures hearts on 'America's Got Talent' – CNN Video". CNN. June 23, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Nightbirde's Last Words Shared by 'AGT' Star's Family in Touching Video About Grief". Hollywood Life. February 22, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski: 5 Things About The 'AGT' Star Tragically Dead At 31 After Cancer Battle". Hollywood Life. February 21, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  54. ↑ "'America's Got Talent' contestant Nightbirde dies after cancer battle". CNN. February 21, 2022.
  55. ↑ "America's Got Talent breakout Nightbirde dies at 31 after cancer battle". Yahoo! News. February 21, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Nighbirde Live-Streamed to the World!". Good Things Guy. March 8, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  57. ↑ "AGT: Extreme Pays Tribute to Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski After Singer's Death". People. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Cancer research foundation created in honor of Nightbirde, who rose to fame on 'America's Got Talent' last year". WSLS-TV. February 23, 2022.
  59. ↑ "'America's Got Talent: Extreme' Tributes Nightbirde Following Singer's Death". Outsider.com. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  60. ↑ "AGT Recap: A Dance Group Inspired By Nightbirde Gets Sofía Vergara's Golden Buzzer". Hollywood Life. June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Lebanese dancers honor late AGT contestant Nightbirde with stunning routine". Yahoo! Entertainment. June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  62. ↑ "Zanesville native Nightbirde featured on America's Got Talent as favorite Golden Buzzer moment". Nbc4i. July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Golden Buzzer: Mzansi Youth Choir's Emotional Tribute Brings Simon To Tears | Auditions | AGT 2023". YouTube. May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Lines EP". Bandcamp. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Jane Marczewski on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  66. ↑ "US Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  67. ↑ "Australian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  68. ↑ "Canada Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  69. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  70. ↑ "Nightbirde". Spotify.
  71. ↑ "Nightbirde Music". Nightbirde.
  72. ↑ "Fly – Single by Nightbirde on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  73. ↑ "Nightbirde on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  74. ↑ Nightbirde (2021). "It's OK (Live Maple House Sessions)". Spotify.
  75. ↑ "America's Got Talent's Nightbirde Sings Another Beautiful Original Ballad 'Brave'". Waynation.com. June 23, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  76. ↑ "Brave – Single by Nightbirde on Apple Music". Apple Music. May 13, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  77. ↑ "New Year's Eve (Yacht Money Remix)". Top Charts.
  78. ↑ "Family of Nightbirde to release new music from the late Zanesville singer and AGT star". The Columbus Dispatch. June 30, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  79. ↑ "Family releases new music from 'Nightbirde' Jane Marczewski". Fox8.com. April 15, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  80. ↑ "Family releases new music from 'Nightbirde' Jane Marczewski". WOWK-TV via MSN. April 15, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
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