Biography
Seva Venet is a versatile guitarist and banjoist renowned for his deep commitment to traditional New Orleans jazz. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Venet’s early musical education included piano, trumpet, and trombone before he gravitated towards guitar in his teens. His formative years were shaped by studies with Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo), who introduced him to jazz improvisation and the works of Django Reinhardt and other jazz guitar luminaries. Further mentorship from Ted Greene expanded his harmonic understanding, while his uncle, legendary producer Nik Venet, influenced his approach to songwriting and professionalism. Seva’s father, Steve Venet, also a songwriter and producer, provided a model for artistic diligence and creativity.[1]
Throughout the 1990s, Venet worked as a professional musician and music educator in Los Angeles, performing in a wide array of genres including traditional jazz, blues, Cajun, zydeco, country, and rock. In 1999, driven by a passion for American roots music, he relocated to New Orleans, immersing himself in the city’s rich jazz heritage. There, he studied and performed with Tuba Fats and his Chosen Few band, playing extensively in Jackson Square and at iconic venues like Donna’s Brass Band Headquarters. Venet has since become a fixture in the New Orleans music scene, leading the Storyville String Band—a group modeled after the historic 6 & 7/8 String Band—and collaborating with many of the city’s jazz greats. He is also a prolific educator, having taught hundreds of students and led workshops at institutions such as the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and the University of New Orleans.[1][2][4]
Venet’s musical style is rooted in the collective improvisation and rhythmic vitality of early New Orleans jazz, but his repertoire spans blues, ragtime, American songbook standards, folk, and even Hawaiian-influenced pieces. He is recognized for his research into the 19th-century roots of jazz and has contributed articles to publications like Offbeat magazine. Venet’s legacy lies in both his performances and his dedication to preserving and transmitting the traditions of New Orleans jazz to new generations of musicians and audiences.[2][3][5]
Fun Facts
- Seva Venet is one of the few contemporary musicians specializing in the 6-string banjo within the context of New Orleans traditional jazz.[4]
- He has researched and published articles on the early, pre-recorded roots of jazz, including the influence of Hawaiian music on New Orleans jazz.[2][5]
- Venet’s Storyville String Band is modeled after the historic 6 & 7/8 String Band, a legendary New Orleans ensemble from the early 20th century.[2][5]
- He has been a featured performer and educator at the Danny Barker Guitar and Banjo Festival since its inception in 2016, helping to preserve the legacy of New Orleans string musicians.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo) - First guitar teacher who introduced Seva to jazz improvisation and classic jazz guitar recordings. (Private instruction) [Early 1980s]
- Ted Greene - Renowned educator who provided advanced guitar and harmonic studies. (Private instruction) [1990s]
- Nik Venet - Uncle and legendary record producer who mentored Seva in songwriting and professionalism. (Songwriting mentorship) [1990s]
- Steve Venet - Father, songwriter, and producer who modeled artistic discipline. (Family influence) [Lifelong]
- Tuba Fats - New Orleans jazz mentor; Seva played in his band for four years after moving to New Orleans. (Performances with Tuba Fats and his Chosen Few band) [1999–early 2000s]
Key Collaborators
- Dr. Michael White - Clarinetist and educator; played on Seva’s album and performed together in New Orleans. (Revisiting New Orleans String Bands 1880–1949) [2010s–present]
- Treme Brass Band - Performed as a banjoist/guitarist with this iconic New Orleans brass band. (Live performances) [2000s–present]
- Greg Stafford and the Jazz Hounds - Collaborated as a guitarist/banjoist in performances. (Live performances) [2000s–present]
- Tommy Sancton, Clive Wilson, Lars Edegran - Performed together in various New Orleans jazz ensembles. (Live performances, festivals) [2000s–present]
- Storyville String Band - Founder and leader; ensemble dedicated to New Orleans string band tradition. (Storyville String Band performances and recordings) [2006–present]
Artists Influenced
- Numerous New Orleans public school students - Taught music and jazz workshops; many students have performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. (Student performances at Jazz Fest) [2000s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Playing It Forward | 2025-04-30 | Album |
| No Grown-Ups Here | 2023-05-06 | Album |
| New Orleans Banjo Volume 1. Musieu Bainjo | 2017-02-02 | Album |
| Revisiting New Orleans String Bands: 1880-1949 | 2014-11-18 | Album |
| The Storyville Stringband of New Orleans: My Bayou Home (Seva Venet Presents) | 2013-01-12 | Album |
| Seva Venet presents the Storyville Stringband of New Orleans | 2010-03-25 | Album |
| Mens Working | 2008 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Limehouse Blues (Mens Working)
- I'm Alone Because I Love You (Romantic New Orleans)
- Jazz Me Blues (Seva Venet presents the Storyville Stringband of New Orleans)
- Struttin' With Some Barbeque (Romantic New Orleans)
- Exactly Like You (Romantic New Orleans)
- Girl Of My Dreams (Romantic New Orleans)
- Sugar Blues (Romantic New Orleans)
- I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (Romantic New Orleans)
- Big Butter And Egg Man (Romantic New Orleans)
- The Preacher (Romantic New Orleans)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Seva Venet has been played 6 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2025 | 10:47 | Some Of These Daysfrom New Orleans Banjo Vol. 1 Musieu | Traditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police | |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 11:19 | Stick it Where you Stuck it Last nightfrom N.O. Banjo Vol. 1 | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Nov 7, 2025 | 11:31 | Stick it Where you Stuck it Last nightfrom N.O. Banjo Vol. 1 | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Oct 4, 2025 | 09:28 | Oriental Strutfrom New Orleans Banjo Vol 1 | Traditional Jazzw/ Big Pete | |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 10:16 | The Winds of Pontchartrainfrom No Grown-Ups Here | Traditional Jazzw/ Leslie Cooper | |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 10:48 | Give Me That Good New Orleans Jafrom New Orleans Banjo Vol. 1 Musieu | Traditional Jazzw/ Leslie Cooper |