 Introducing writer-producer Fonseca Doriano Woodruff (a.k.a Mr. Zeke) - he was born on July 25th, at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He has always been a fan of music. As a child growing up, he watched his mother play the organ at home and sing. His inspiration came at a very young age and he became interested in music at school. If there was a music program, he would participate because he was fascinated with the sounds that these instruments would make. Growing up mostly in Kansas, his love for music became more evident as he began to read and understand the notes he was playing. In Middle and High School, he played trumpet, baritone and tuba. However, he's greatest moment was winning an All-state marching band competition held at Kansas State University.
Fast forward several years later he went to college at Ottawa University where he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Communications. He sang in choirs and an elite choral group called the "Adelante" Singers which means to go forward in spanish. He traveled across the country performing at various places as part of a "Habitat for Humanity" tour. It was a great learning experience because as a group they shared their talent with others but also helped those that were less fortunate. It was also here that he participated in two theatrical plays: "Boys Next Door" and "Ma' Rose." It helped him develop stage presence through acting techniques called "blocking." He also participated in local talent shows on campus as he began to show promise in writing and performing his music. In between classes he would stop by the music department - tinker around on the piano and structure songs with his lyrics. He also dee-jayed on the campus radio station and eventually got promoted to Music Director. It was here that he began to see the business end of the music industry dealing with various record companies.
After college, he worked at several radio stations doing promotions but he never forgot about his passion for creating music. He bought a Casio one day from Radio Shack and began to compose and arrange music. It wasn't Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis quality to say the least but it was the beginnings of something to come. Many songs later he decided to go a recording studio and record a demo. Nothing every came of that demo but at least it gave him a glimpse into the recording process.
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 Fate would eventually set the stage of destiny when a job relocated him to Kansas City in 2001. Having upgraded his production equipment he began to produce even more music. After watching the "Wake up Show" featuring Tech & Eminem on MTV one day he never knew Tech was from Kansas City but he knew he wanted to work with him because of his unique flow and persona. While researching some recording studios he came across 5150 Recording Studios in Lawrence, Kansas. Come to find out, this particular studio has produced, mixed, and engineered for Tech and Yukmouth. A few days later while at his apartment complex paying his rent he finds out that Tech is friends with a girl that worked there. He goes to his apartment, and hands some tracks to her to give to him. The next day, he receives a 3-way call with Tech on the line wanting him to sing the hooks on the tracks. Instantly, the two connected musically and the two recorded at the studio while he was on break from his Absolute Power Tour.
He promoted his first single by touring with Tech N9ne on his Absolute Power Tour in '02 and '03. Between working a 40 hour-a-week job, he managed to hustle his single in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma and 9 cities throughout those states. He was so dedicated he would get to a show 2 hours before and leave 2 hours after a show hitting every fan in the crowd - sometimes out in the rain. He would travel to these places and sometimes sleep in his car after shows because he couldn't afford a room at a motel. His constant grind resulted in more than 500 unit singles sold during the tour.
 In 2003, while working on his compilation project he made a connection with a family friend who is a musician of Sounds of Blackness and helped him reach out to musical director Gary Hines. He was able to pitch a Gospel song he had written, and needed an ensemble to capture the essence of the song. He forwarded the song to Gary Hines and literally a day later, called him and said he was very impressed with the song and said they would do it. This was the biggest opportunity of this magnitude to have co-signed on his ability to write and produce.
Around this time, he produced a song to represent his state/city titled "Welcome to Kansas City." In the body of work included a sample taken from John Sebastian's "Welcome Back, Kotter". In this business, it is important to get clearance, so that's just what he did. He contacted TVT Records to seek approval. He forwarded the demo to the publisher, and the client himself - John Sebastian overwhelmingly granted him the right to use the song. The publisher even stated the following in an email: "I've just received the CD (Welcome to Kansas City) and reviewed it. Man, I want to say how great this is!! This is an excellent track. The female vocals in particular are exuberant, and the melodic part they sing; and I really like their "giveittomegiveittomegiveittome."
 Although he had songs for his compilation, he didn't know what to call his project since it didn't fit any particular style until one day - Vigalantee, an artist he was working with, suggested calling it "Gumbo." The name instanlty fit with his vision of mixed genres on one project. He wanted to create a project without restrictions to style and he also wanted to show his musical diversity. After awhile he soon discovered that the recording process was becoming expensive and soon realized that he might have to scrap the project but he continued on by putting up his car as collateral for a loan - $30,000 dollars later his project was professionally produced, mixed, mastered and released to the public. At the release party he brought all the artists involved on the project for an in-store signing as people helped themselves to real gumbo.
BZP Presents: Da gumbo Vol. 1 has received international support with spins in Poland, Australia, Japan, Ireland, France, South Africa, Italy, England, New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica to name a few. The single "I Can Testify" reached #1 on the Australian Underground Dance Station with four other songs added to their playlist. "I Can Testify" was also added to the "Best of the Rest 2005" on the British website Soulsorts.com. The following singles held chart positions on SoundClick.com: "So What" (#1) in the R&B/Soul/Pop category. And it reached #2 in the Urban category. "Supastar" (#3) in the World/Reggae category. And it reached #11 in the World category. Through the popularity of subscription-based services such as Music Oven Network, the project has received overwhelming support from retailers, clubs, restaurants, and other public venues in the US and western Europe. This project has received over 2,500 downloads to be incorporated into various business playlists.
 It has been advertised in "Murder Dog" and "StreetMaster 2" magazines courtesy of Dungeon Replication. It has sold 500 copies (on/off) paper at Borders (NJ) Sam Goody (KS, OK) Hastings (KS), 7th Heaven (KS, MO)stores and Japan, & United Kingdom on Amazon and CD Baby. It has received over 2000 streams/downloads on all major/independent sites like Apple ITunes and it is available on VCAST.
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 The highlight of his career, however, was when his music competed with the very best in the music business by qualifying to be listed on the voting ballot for the 46th annual GRAMMYS where he competed in several categories with such artists as Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Ciara, Kanye West, Kurt Franklin – he did not receive enough votes to make it to the next round but he was deeply humbled by the whole experience and he is more determined than ever to bring home a GRAMMY!
He is now venturing into film and TV where he is partnering with Carmen Gouig, publisher for Kurt Farquhar Productions (i.e. King of Queens, Moesha, etc) for placement consideration in TV sitcoms and or movies. He is also partnering with Doug Proctor, music supervisor for Film Director Frank M. Calo (i.e. The Believer – Billy Zane, Theresa Russell; Cookout – Queen Latifah, Danny Glover, etc) for a new movie titled: Johnny Postal (i.e. Frankie Faison, NickTurturro) for soundtrack or synchronization placement consideration as well. This film is currently in production and we will keep you posted on release date information! So, keep your eyes and ears open on the next film or TV project because it just may include a BZP composition!
 He has also written and/or produced works for emerging artists that have associated with big names on various music projects, concerts, events or programs. These artists include 3AM (i.e. Ruben Studdard – GRAMMY’s in the School), Mr. Chubby (i.e. Digital Underground’s Shock G; Murder Inc’s Black Cali), Hobo Tone (i.e. Lil’ Flip, Spice One, E-40), and Da Bombsquad (i.e. 2 Live Crew, Bone Thugs -N-Harmony, etc)
In 2006, Mr. Zeke participated in ASCAP’s “I Create Music” EXPO in Los Angeles – mingling with such movie stars as Sharon Warren of the critically acclaimed movie “Ray”, legendary music gurus George Duke and Jimmy Jam (i.e. Janet Jackson, Usher, etc) artist/ writer’s as Gordon Chambers (i.e. Beyonce, Angie Stone, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Brownstone), Johnta Austin (i.e. Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey, Tyrese), and Country Music Superstar Rich from Big & Rich – which by the way – talked during dinner in the high rise restaurant of the Renaissance Hotel about Rich’s experience performing in Topeka, Kansas – where Mr. Zeke once resided, and how they would like to see more of a blend of Country music/Hip-Hop recordings and performances. Look out for a possible “Musik Mafia” collaboration! Mr. Zeke also spoke at length with Alonzo “Zo” Lee from “Trackstarz” who produced Chingy about working together to expand the Midwest sound from the South, East/West coast dominated music we hear today – look for a collaboration in the future from two of the hottest production teams from St.Louis to Kansas City!
 In addition, while attending a segment @ the EXPO he was recognized by Jimmy Jam in the audience when his agent forwarded his music to Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, MN a few years ago. During the question and answering, he told Jimmy Jam that they have something in common, which was they both produced & written work for Sounds of Blackness & Tech N9ne. He looked into the crowd and asked "what's your name and where are you from?" And then acting as though he was a mind reader, he said "let me guess, you're from Kansas City." The crowd cheered as though he solved a great mystery but Zeke knew the quality of his music stood out in his mind and he remembered who he was – they shook hands afterwards. He was also shown interest from Valerie Patton, VP Chrysalis Music Publishing and Manny Edwards, Sr. Director Universal Music Publishing, to publish his musical works – we will keep you posted!!
Prior to this year, he attended the Power 105 Music Conference in New York City where he held dialogue with Def Jam recording artist LL Cool J, Clear Channel Radio representatives, Murder Inc. CEO Irv Gotti (i.e. Ashanti, Ja Rule) about the state of the music industry. He is a strong advocate for Independent artists and he challenged his peers to fight for artist’ rights, and support legislation that proposes stricter rules against “payola.”
.jpg) In 2005, he expands his business interests by producing shows. He has featured former members of Sounds of Blackness – Ginger Commodore Quartet or GCQ. Grammy award winner Pianist Lee Blaske, who received a Grammy for his work with Mariah Carey, and subsequently provided arrangements for Janet Jackson, Gladys Knight, The Steeles, Amy Grant, Johnny Gill and more. He has also featured Patricia Aiken, who was a back-up singer for the late Luther Vandross. His company was fortunate to feature her first solo Gospel performance.
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If past results can predict future success, he is well on his way to creating a name for himself. He is currently writing and producing songs for placement opportunities for Capitol Records recording artists Dukes of DaVille; Sony/BMG recording artist Keisha Chante, and multiple Grammy award winner John Legend through Cherry Lane Music Publishing.
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