ABOUT Zo!

Zo! (n) -- 1. Metro Detroit-born, Metro DC-based musician/producer Lorenzo Ferguson. 2. An exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist who claims the piano/keyboard as his primary instrument, but is self-taught on the bass guitar, the drums, and most recently the guitar. 3. A Musical Architect who utilizes all sound elements to form original compositions that can be classified under no single genre of music.

Though largely known for his solo work and a catalog that dates back to 2001, Zo! has collaborated with a variety of artists from the likes of GRAMMY-winning musician/producer/musical director Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, two-time GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Roberson, Phonte, Anthony David and Sy Smith to Slum Village, Platinum Pied Pipers and Little Brother. In 2008, he became the Musical Director for the touring band that accompanies GRAMMY-nominated duo The Foreign Exchange.

After relocating from Michigan to Maryland on February 10, 2006, Zo! released what would become the first in a series of three remake EPs entitled, ...just visiting. At the end of 2006, Zo! completed the production work for yet another instrumental album, Freelance – a 15-track creative spectrum of work once again showcases Zo!'s abilities not only as a talented multi-instrumentalist, but as a dedicated composer who has a deep appreciation for the art of creating music.

As 2005 came to a close, Zo! met and began working with Phonte Coleman (then of Little Brother). Little did they know, a solid working foundation was being built for what would lead to larger-scaled future collaborations with Zo! contributing production work to Little Brother on their 2007 Getback album (“When Everything Is New”) and The Foreign Exchange's acclaimed 2008 Leave It All Behind LP (“If She Breaks Your Heart”), their 2010 Authenticity LP (“Fight For Love”), and their 2013 release Love In Flying Colors (“Listen To The Rain”). In the summer of 2008, Zo! and Phonte teamed up to release their limited edition album and ode to 80's music entitled Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80's.

On November 3, 2009, Zo! received more attention by releasing the sequel to ...just visiting entitled ...just visiting too, which features vocalists Sy Smith, YahZarah, Phonte, and Darien Brockington. ...just visiting too received an excellent response from the internet accumulating more than 20,000 downloads in its first two weeks of availablility. The Roots' drummer, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson was even spotted on Twitter the night after JV2's release stating, "Meet @zo3hree5ive (Zo!), your favoritistist producer, the evidence? (...just visiting too link provided)"

Zo! broke major ground in 2010 with the release of SunStorm, an extensive 12-track set that shows the ever-expanding range and depth of Zo!’s musical abilities – as well as the entire Foreign Exchange Music family. SunStorm includes collaborations with: Phonte, Sy Smith, YahZarah, Rapper Big Pooh, Darien Brockington, Lady Alma, Jesse Boykins III, Chantae Cann, Carlitta Durand, and Monica Blaire. While debuting at #81 on Billboard’s R&B Charts, SunStorm also yielded Zo!’s first two videos for the singles “This Could Be the Night” and “Greater Than the Sun.” In December of 2010, Zo! earned the distinction of being voted SoulBounce.com’s “Producer Of the Year.”

In July of 2011, Zo! released the third and final installment in the …just visiting cover series, …just visiting three in which he collaborated with Phonte, Eric Roberson, Sy Smith, and Anthony David.

On May 21, 2013, Zo! released another solo album entitled, ManMade while remaining on the road with The Foreign Exchange. ManMade spent three consecutive weeks on the Billboard R&B charts and its second single "Count To Five" was featured on ESPN's "Numbers Never Lie" during the entire month of July 2013.

Zo! has provided music and instrumentation for popular Adult Swim television show, Black Dynamite – The Animated Series. He is also scoring an upcoming documentary on the history of independent soul music entitled, Undeniable.

Most recently, Zo! just wrapped co-production work on The Foreign Exchange's latest album 'Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey' and is currently back to work on another solo project.

Zo! is an endorser of Lewitt Audio, Event Monitors, and Moog Music

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