Venitia has primarily been a solo performer, touring mostly throughout the Midwesten states, and occssionaly done shows in the Southwest and Florida. To suppliment her career and just have a "damn good time", she recently joined forces with two outstanding musicians, Danny Dine and Mark Nemeth to create a Jazz/Blues Trio, the DMV. They perform classic jazz, R&B and a few of Venitia's original blues numbers.
Danny on guitar, drums & vocals
Mark on bass & keyboards
Venitia on guitar, drums & vocals
Influences
Well, I always have at least one Patty Griffin CD in my car at all times, but it really goes far beyond that. Everything from early folk to progressive. Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Bonnie Koloc, Rickie Lee Jones, Joan Armatrading, Ani Defanco, Suzanne Vega, Alanis Morissette, Joan Osborn, Tracy Chapman, Beth Orton, Shawn Colvin, Jane Siberry, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle (the world needs more steve earle's) and more. Growing up between Detroit and Chicago, I was blessed with a rich amount of music to listen to. Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Staple Singers, Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam and Dave, Sly and the Family Stone, Elmore James, Little Milton, Big Mama Thorton, James Cotton, BB King, Willie Dixon, Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, John Lee Hooker, RAY CHARLES, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tadeschi, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Arturo Sandoval, Jane Monheit, Miles Davis, John Coletrane, Buddy Rich, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Louie Bellson, Tito Puente, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Tony Bennett, Pat Metheny, Chet Atkins, Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson (for President), Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Allison Krauss, Don Williams, George Jones, Roy Clark & Buck Owens, Bill Haley & the Comets, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, 10 Years after, Janis Joplin, Uriah Heep, PINK FLOYD, the Who, Led Zepplin, the Stones, Rush, Robin Trower, Blind Faith, Cream, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Steely Dan, the Band, Bob Marley, the Kinks, the Police, Elvis Costello, the Cars, Cold Play, Beck, Radio Head, the Cure, Lenny Kravitz, Morcheeba, the Brand New Heavies, Supreme Beings of Leisure, the Sring Cheese Incident, Rusted Root, OAR, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Sweet Honey on the Rock, Ladysmith Black Mambazo............................oh man!
Not to mention all of the PIK's (people I know) making amazing independent music out there. It just goes on and on. :-)
Venitia Sekema
"The title track to Venitia Sekema's new CD, Hell on High Heels, is the most frightening foot apparel tune since Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin'." Not what you'd expect to be said about performing songwriters these days, but Venitia has gotten used to being the exception to the rule. She has been steadily winning over audiences around the midwest with her straight forward, sometimes funny,
always emotionally moving lyrics.
"Hell on High Heels", her second full
length album released May 2007, has already
been met with critical success and radio and
internet airplay in the US, Canada and
Europe. "Like a cooling thunder storm on a
prairie-hot day her voice soothes the soul."
The new CD is expected to be named one of
the top 30 albums of the year by 88.1 WVPE, as did her 1st studio effort, "Lucky Numbers" in 2005. She was a featured artist on the Michiana musician’s compilation CD "Brand New Day, and has worked as a studio vocalist for recording sessions in Nashville, Tennessee. Venitia's most recent accomplishment was being selected as a Featured Showcase Artist at the 2007 FARM Conference.
Here's what others are saying:
"Her sound is at once sparse and amazingly full. No more is needed: a ringing acoustic guitar and her sultry voice...that is all I needed to be a fan." Vince DeFarbo, CD Baby
"A solid record that's got spunk and a sense of humor. As for this more soulful vibe, it's a hat -- or rather, a pair of high heels -- that she wears well." Karen Rivers, South Bend Tribune.
Sekema tours mostly through the great lakes area, including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, but have recently included some of the north and south eastern states. To maintain her local exposure, she hosts a successful open stage at The Livery, a micro brew and concert hall in Benton Harbor Michigan, a favorite stop of many national musicians. She has also been asked to open for many well known and up and coming performers on the international circuit today, such as Jeff Lang, Corinne West, Robin and Linda Williams, and Chris Thele, to name a few.
Venitia is a performer who wants listeners to "feel" her songs. Whether it's one of her own or her interpretation of one that everyone knows, she digs down deep and serves it up fresh. She can make your soul soar as easily as she can have you rockin’, all delivered with a beautiful and powerful voice.
Hope this isn't overkill but I need someone to teach me how to send a blog with poster up.Hope you all can make it.Ohh In event of rain it will move to floor below the roof
Was listening to your demos Venitia.Very nice. Im surprised I haven't gotten a chance to hear you,but we have your schedule now.Next oppritunity I'll grab up Matt and we'll come and have some beers and enjoy the show.Nice metting you by the way. Tim
