Dropzone International Biography

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DROPZONEINTERNATIONAL

Dropzone International has been rocking the stage and entertaining crowds worldwide for

over a decade. Truly professional, experienced, highly energetic and extremely versatile, Dropzone‘s reputation precedes them.

originating from MontrealCanada, dropzone over the past 11 years had diversified and become a completely unique entity. With members from 7 different countries, covering various styles and genres, the blend of talent, culture, style, and individuality has made Dropzone a force to be reckoned with!

Dropzone has performed extensively internationally withcontracts in South east Asia, the Middle east, and new zealand. Venues include The Grand Hyatt Bangkok, Singapore, Taiwan, and HongKong, Mgm grand Macau, The crown plaza Dubai and Shenzhen, the Hilton Kuala lumpur, The Shangri-La Jakarta, and the very famous bar “Gary’s”: nagoya Japan. Dropzone has also performed as featured artists in international events and functions including the regatta yacht festival in phuket Thailand, and various other specialevents in pattaya, China.

Dropzone International’s members currently include Band Leader and featured Vocalist Louis Harris representing the United States of America, Sheena Knight lead female vocalist from United States of America,phoenix novelle lead female vocalist from United States of America,Drummer Lance Woodman from South Africa,Bassist Ivan pineda from Australia ,Keyboardist romeo Alexander from Trinidad & Tobago and Guitarist Maurice Smith from Jamaica.

With All members bringing the flavor and uniqueness of theircultural background to unite on the stage, , creating the ultimate all round package, Dropzone is currently one of the most successful and sought after international bands on the Asian circuit and beyond..

introduction

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1999 performed at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong performed at Grand Hyatt Taipei

2000 performed at Grand Hyatt Taipei performed at Grand Hyatt Singapore

2001 performed at Grand Hyatt Bangkok performed at “Gary’s” in nyoga Japan

2002 Carried on perfroming in Japan Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

2003 performed in nyoga Japan at Gary’s performed at Shangrila Jakarta

2004 performed at Crowne plaza Dubai performed at Grand Hyatt Taipei

2005 performed at Crowne plaza Dubai performed at private events in phuket

2006 performed in Bangkok Grand Hyatt performed at private events in China

2007 performed in Grand Hyatt Singapore performed at Crowne plaza Shenzhen

2008 performed at MGM Grand Macau performed at private event in new zealand

2009 performed at Grand Hyatt Bangkok performed at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

2010 performed at Hilton Hotel KL performed at Grand Hyatt Singapore

2011 performed at Hilton Hotel KL

2012 performig at ramee royal Hotel Dubai

performance history


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who is part of this band?CASSIDyband leader/lead vocalist

pHoenyxlead vocalist

SHeenAlead vocalist

MAUrICeguitarist/vocalist

IVAnbassist/keybassist

LAnCedrummer/vocalist

roMeokeyboardist/vocalist

* Additional members available on request

(e.g. horns, percursion, vocalists)

BIOGRAPHIES>>


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Cassidy band leader/lead vocalist

LoUIS Alexander Harris, a.k.a. Cassidy, was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1965. He grew up singing

at his local church, and was singled out as a special talent by the time he reached the age of 6. When he joined the choir he was noted as having a natural vocal ability that most people could only achieve through years of training.

On his first solo appearance in grade school he received a standing ovation, which was the first of many in the years to come. Cassidy continued his vocal training at the School of the Arts studying voice and vocal training, where he received many awards and honors. He inherited his many talents from his father, a very skilled singer, who was lead vocalist in the famous group the Malibu’s during the early years.

During his tenure, Cassidy has arranged background vocals for many major recording artists, including Bobby Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, pebbles,Tony Braxton,TLC, Keith Sweat, etc...

After a successful time in the recording industry, he ventured into Gospel Music, excelling in the field of Contemporary Christian music. It was here that he worked along side many groups/artists, such as The Winans, Bee Bee & Cee Cee Winans,Vickie Winans,Vanessa Bell Armstrong, rance Allen, Thomas Whitfield, Commissioned, etc...

over the years Cass has worked and/or performed with groups like The Temptations, Steve Wonder, peabo Bryson, Blue, All 4 one, Mint Condition, Cool and the Gang, earth Wind & Fire, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ edmonds, Daryl Simmons, as well as traveling abroad for several years touring the Asian Circuit. He has also worked for major recording labels such as Sony, Columbia, LAFACe records.

Cassidy’s talents are among the elite in the music industry, his abilities are only overshadowed by his drive and determination to succeed. Among his peers he is considered among the best in the business.

DROPZONEINTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHIES

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pHoenyx novelle was born and raised in philadelphia, pennsylvania and attended the

Creative and performing Arts high school as a vocal major. Since the age of five she has been singing and performing. phoenyx is most notably known as a singer/songwriter, but those who know her well know that she wears many more hats than those. phoenyx is an up and coming producer and fashion designer whose determination and drive is kin to none.

In 2002 she graduated from the school of performing arts and immediately started singing back up for philadelphia native singer, songwriter, Corey Latif Williams. She has performed overseas in Singapore and is currently on a 6 months tour in Shanghai, China.

phoenyx has met a myriad of performing artists and has come to realize that anything is possible if you truly believe in yourself. phoenyx has also worked with other artists and producers in the music industry such as Marc nelson, zukhan Bey, Dre and Vidal, Trevor Job, Jake Carter, and Lionel Job to name a few.

phoenyx novelle co wrote a song with Marc nelson that Howard Hewett later recorded for his album entitled “If only” released in 2007.

one of the reasons why phoenyx is so ambitious and driven is because of her mother who unfortunately passed away at the tender age of 32. phoenyx was only 9 years old and the last present her mother had given her for her birthday was a typewriter. not realizing what to do with it, she didn’t use it for about a year and finally something came out of her that made her understand the gifts meaning……poetry.The poetry she had written later turned into songs and spawned the beginning of a phenomenal story teller.

phoenyx is truly a force to be reckoned with because she is creating masterpieces and changing the game for artists to come!


Phoenyx Novelle lead vocalist


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Sheena Knight lead vocalist

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Singing international sensation Sheena Knight has the

moves to WoW and the voice to match!

Sheena has had a healthy start in her career singing behind local rising stars like Shanell from young Money, female group opening act for Bow Wow and background vocals for International recording artist n’Dambi.

Talented dancing Knight has graced the CMT music awards show, show boating behind Grammy award winner LeAnn rimes, Tpain, nivea and a Ceelo Green protege Tori Alamaze`!

Her talent took her abroad performing with cover bands in Japan, Singapore and back to America where they all want more of her beauty and talent!

Sheena Knight never ceases to amaze you with electrifying hip moves and charm to put you at ease or pump you up to dance!

BIOGRAPHIES

Maurice guitarist/vocalist

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Born on the island of Jamaica, Maurice grew up with a variety of musical influences that helped

to shape his own unique style of singing and guitar playing. Starting from age 16, he has backed many popular Jamaican Singers such as Culture, Ken Boothe, Cynthia Schloss, Aj Brown, Myrna Hague & Mighty Diamonds.

He worked as a session guitarist and vocalist in studios in Jamaica, north America and South east Asia. He has since toured Worldwide with Funk, pop, reggae, and African, dance & show bands, performing in Asia, europe and north America. Among his list of credits are South African Singer/recording artist Lorraine Klaasen, and north American Singer, Songwriter, recording artist, Freddie James.

Maurice also teamed up with Montreal based production team M.Gi.M and released several singles on the Solid records label.

Maurice is currently on an extended Asian tour with Dropzone International Band.


Lance Woodman drummer/vocalist


LAnCe Woodman’s passion for playing drums started when he saw the first VHS recording of

Dennis Chambers. Him, amongst others, namely: Max roach, elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Steve Gadd have become just a few of Lance’s influences.

He got his first drum kit at the age of eight. Later he attended the well-known Beau Soleil Music Centre in Kenilworth. While studying music, he played in the “Senior Stage Band” as well as the “Senior Wind Band”, which increased his knowledge of playing in an ensemble and how to work together as a unit. Doing a gig with his principal (Frank Mallows) opened up a door to a world he knew very little of. That event became a stepping-stone for his future. His talent was recognised and he got offered to play in clubs at the age of 17. Six months later he started working more corporately with a band called “ovation Incorporated” for some Corporate giants at venues like The Mount nelson Hotel, The Bay Hotel, The Table Bay Hotel (new years eve), and The Cape Sun amongst others. He have been playing ever since. Working with some of Cape Town’s/South Africa’s Top Jazz, pop, dance & Show Musicians.

Lance has shared the stage and performed with such artists as Chad Saaiman, Stereo-Type records Lloyd Jansen, former south african Idols Lyndel Kearns and Karen Kortjie and world renowned south african vocalist Themba Mtshale, who was part of hit series and show that travelled the world called Sarafina.

This is just a sample of the many performances and projects that Lance Woodman has been a part of. The list goes on as does his growing experience in the field.

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Ivan Pineda bassist/keybassist


IVAn’S warm and powerful deep “bass” pocket has been entertaining audiences since his parents

heard he could hold grooves like “Maser blaster “ and “Blame it on the boogie” before he even knew what a bass note was. He has been infecting crowds with his solid groove ever since.

performing around Australia’s club scene since his teens, Ivan’s recent move to the world circuit has exposed him to many diverse cultures, socially and musically, heavily influencing his growth as a person and musician.

During his travels he has been fortunate to share the stage with some of the worlds most hard working and popular bands in and out of Australia. His talents then took him to one of Asia’s largest casinos “The Venetian Hotel resort Macau” where he spent the better part of a year furthering his understanding of what it means, and what it takes to be professional musician and performer.

Ivan has shared the stage with Latin artists such as Christian Guerrero and Gonzalo porta infecting dance floors with his solid bass “tumbao“, “Australian idols” Carlos Velasquez, Courtney Act, Amali Ward and “pop Stars” Miranda Murphy and spent over ten years as a featured bassist with the “Gapproject”, one of Australia’s leading Jazz fusion acts, also featured on “eastside radio”, Sydney Australia’s leading Jazz radio station.

Ivan’s eclectic musical tastes allow him to switch styles with ease and when he jumps on stage, audiences can’t help but be mesmerized by his performances, his showmanship and raw energy that he provides night in, night out.

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Romeo Alexander keyboardist/vocalist


roMeo, also known as Ap, originally started playing bass at age 19. By the time he joined

the band Qwestion, he was also playing guitar and keyboards. Ap played with top Caribbean bands such as “formula”, “Fire Flight”, “Atlantic” and “Taxi” (for whom he was musical director).

one of romeo’s most sentimental moments was working with “The Unit” alongside Ajala, General Grant and Gregory Isaacs. He has, since then performed throughout the Caribbean, north America, Asia and the Middle east.

romeo is not only a multi-instrumentalist, but also a seasoned sound tech, songwriter and upcoming producer and has collaborated successfully with numerous artists around the globe.

romeo now handles the keyboardist duties of the international show band “Dropzone”. Watch out for great things coming from romeo in the near future.

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band performing photos


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Dropzone International Biography

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