The DreZone:
(dres-own): Multi-instrumentalist, Multi whatever, Entertainer, born and raised in the South-East of London, UK. Crazy; kinetic; pensive; reticent, extrovert, introvert, elegant, paradoxical, enigmatic. Likes to achieve goals and not to procrastinate. Against inquistion into professional integrity and prone to accentuating a strong work ethic with a penchant for attention seeking or to detail.The Beginning
Writing since the tender age of 8 when his older brother Delroi (www.myspace.com/delroi), allowed him access to his 4-track recorder.
Formed his first band at 10 and would continuously record from the age of 13 onwards, embracing not only developing technologies but capitalising on the limitations on his accessible technology.
Academia
The DreZone studied GCSEs, A-Levels and eventually acquired a degree in Multimedia Technology, thus accompanying him on his learning curve to develop web sites. The results are shown in his self-designed website (www.thedrezone.com) which in turn has led to developing web sites for various artistes and music companies. The DreZone was also forerunner on developing enhanced CD technology.
The Plant
Using funding from being a DJ, live work and academic surplus, he built The DreZone plant where a majority of his (and other) material has been recorded including tracks on this Myspace page and various other accounts/websites/commercial releases...
Post degree, he founded DreZone Productions; a unit dedicated to recording and developing local talent under his wing, all recorded at The DreZone Plant, the clientele would expand cross-continent by means of recording via Internet - A cutting edge concept in a pre-broadband era, once again proving that The DreZone is constantly pushing boundaries to achieve his goals.
The DreZone roster continuously expanded, with session players being called in, one-off projects, albums were recorded and showcases were held. The DreZone contributed, whether it be playing, producing or writing, to the equivalent of no less than half a dozen albums for other artistes on his roster excluding the 5 albums he hrecorded has a solo artist, all within a 3-4 year period.
To date, the DreZone has recorded close to 750 tracks excluding contributing arrangements and pieces for other outfits.
Other Side Of The Game
Not content with just recording and contributing, The DreZone being a multimedia Autuer, has always been keen on video work and in this area is heavily inspired by Saul Bass (sic. Psycho, Casino) resulting in his first video ^i^ (available on the left hand side). He has also written and directed his own film short Dres 2 Cents which he also scored himself and is reported to be desirous to get back behind and in front of the camera once again...
Acquiring a multimedia Degree has also enabled him to design numerous websites for various clients which can be seen not only on his own website, but others too such as bigandclever.org, shortskirtz.co.uk and profnohair.com, almost as a superceder to his earlier Enhanced CD authoring days...
All The Way Live
As a live and session musician, The DreZone has contributed session arrangements and live performances to countless artistes, solo or group since the age of 16 when he first performed at the prestigious Blackheath Concert Halls in London (was reported that he had a 100 degree temperature on the day and a severe case of stage fright to boot! - ed).
The self-taught DreZone has played live and in session in ABSOLUTE: Drummer, Keyboard player, Bassist, Vocalist AND Rhythm Guitarist for a range of genres varying from Traditional Jazz, Funk, Psychepunk to Klezmer.
This dynamic experience has led for the DreZone - in different guises, to perform at some of the most legendary of venues and events, such as BBC World Service, Glastonbury Festival & Eden Project to name but a few. Just to namedrop a select few, The DreZone has performed with Piano Virtuoso Jools Holland, Glenn Tilbrook, John Crawford (Lewis Taylor), Nick Van Gelder (Jamiroquai), Trevor Mires (Incognito) and Detroits own Dwele.
While his style regardless of voice or instrument remains authentic and distinctive, his elegant, larger than life yet, kinetic stage presence and persona, lends more than a passing acknowledgement to the likes of Prince and the legendary, late James Brown.
Acknowledgement
The prolific work of The DreZone has been acknowledged by the likes of Rhonda Smith (Session Bass player for Prince and artist in her own right), the estate of the late Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report, Joni Mitchell), U2 drummer Larry Mullen, Actor/Musician Keith Allen and a variety of industry insiders.
Now
At the time of writing, The DreZone plays Drums in a Jazz/Boogie-Woogie trio Professor Nohair & The Wiglifters (under his real name Andre St. Clair Dyer) who have embarked on a multitude of tours ranging from the West country parts of the UK to the Alpine lands of France & Switzerland. It is rumoured that the 2008 Alpine tour may be his last after 6 years, time will tell...
After looking for a new creative direction and at one point, almost vowing never to record a solo album again, The DreZone is now working on a vast array of new material for his potentially 7th and 8th solo album in tandem.
The DreZone has just written the theme for Hollywood Makeup artiste Alexis Vogel Cosmetics, Alexis herself, a talented artist has worked with the likes of Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, Candice Michelle, Anna-Nicole Smith among others... See Top Friends...
His DJ skills have been far from overlooked. Having Held a DJ residency in his hometown (dubbed "Drecountry") for 7 years, hosting his own club night and recently being referred to as a modern day Norman Jay for his Soul sessions, The DreZone has currently undertaken an extensive range of DJ shifts for the world famous Roadhouse (London), Maxwells (Oxford) and a a new once-a-month residency at "Tabernacle" in Old Street (London)... You never know, you may even see him playing some crazy percussion at Roadhouse too...
End Of The Beginning
All points mentioned re. music, video, extended information regarding bands, gigs and developments, past, present and future, will be available in full from the official DreZone website at www.thedrezone.com and supporting sites when available.
** NEW ** Percussion Set @ Roadhouse
The DreZone makes a historic debut as percussionist in Central London: 19.04.08
Harambe Video Montage!
Video of Live performances by Harambe sync'd to the Studio recording of "Demons" from their album "Testify
SHORT SKIRTZ PERFORM "CRAZY"
The DreZone plays Drums with Short Skirtz doing a unique rendition of the Gnarles Barkley anthem at Lewisham Peoples Day 2007...
Yes I DO Play My Own Instruments!
Drum Solo with The Wiglifters - Alpine Tour Feb '07 - check the French influenced name change!!
Video courtesy of the official Myspace Professor Nohair & The Wiglifters page, please take time to visit (see top friends list)...
The DreZone ..s
The DreZone plays Keys for "Stone Jam" movement - introduced by the Oasis Gospel Award Nominee Adelaide MacKenzie