Matt Venuti and The Venusians introduced Global-Instrumental Music to the Special Events Market and remain the most sought-after group in this genre. Their style fuses the ambient and atmospheric with enchanting melodies and entrancing rhythms. The instrumentation that the band is best known for combines captivating and sophisticated world instruments with ones more common…all sparkling with the touch of masterful musicianship. The band members have performed together for many years and have a chemistry and synergy that is pure magic.
The venues they play are most often landmarks that host gala events, but they also perform for intimate gatherings and diverse happenings worldwide in configurations that range from solo to 6 pieces. Click the video link below for live band footage and send an email through the “Booking and Contact” page for more information.
Music and Video Excerpts
Sightings
Apple Computer’s launch party for Lion operating system, DeYoung Museum, San Francisco
Oracle Open World, San Francisco
TED Conferences
Cadence Design Gala, 4 Seasons Kailua, Hawaii
Lake Tahoe Celebrity Golf Classic
Audi Annual Press Event, Napa Valley
LPGA Gala Pebble Beach
New Year’s Eve High Rollers Party at Harrah’s Casino
Opening of Sony Metreon
Java World Moscone Center
Opening of the Museum of Technology & Innovation in San Jose
George Lucas’ Star Wars Opening Gala
Intercontinental Hotel, Rhine River Cruise, Frankfurt, Germany
Software 2005, 2006, and 2007 Santa Clara Convention Center
Yamaha Corp, Cancun Mexico
San Francisco 49er’s 50th Anniversary Gala
Maverick Film and Technology Awards Ceremony
Opening of the new Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Caesar’s, MGM Grand and numerous casino events in Vegas & Reno
Featured at numerous corporate parties and major events for companies including IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, NYSE, etc.
CBS Millennium Party, San Francisco
The only contemporary band on the bill for the Summer of Love 25th Anniversary in Golden Gate Park
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
Cinequest Film Festival
Verbum Digital Be-In
U.S. Conference of Mayors opening Gala
NFL Championship game party for 49er’s and Packers
Headliner Oregon Country Fair
Headliner Earthdance
Burning Man “95, ’96, ’98, 2000, 2003
Headliner Geekapalooza
Headliner United Nations 50th Anniversary Party at Fort Mason
Numerous night club performances and special events including Great American Music Hall, Slim’s, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Pac Bell Park, The Regency Ballroom, San Jose Arena, The Arena in Austin, The Delta Center in Salt Lake City, San Francisco Maritime Hall, Transmission Theatre, Ashkenaz, 19 Broadway, Sweetwater, Santa Monica Cultural Festival, Avalon Ballroom, Black & White Ball, Academy of Science’s Star Trek Show, etc.
Accolades
“Check this band out…they’re great!” – Craig Newmark (Craig’s List)
“The Venusians are definitely our favorites” – Heather Keenan, Key Events, ISES
“Our new favorite band!” – Shelley Wolfe, Wine and Dine Events
“…when I heard you play I knew that you were perfect for the Google Parties” – Charlie Ayers, Special Events, Google
“I consider Matt Venuti and The Venusians as our house band” – Gwen Sobolewski (Special Events, The Museum of Technology and Innovation)
“I’m ever an admirer of your work” – Thomas Dolby
“…expect nothing less than out-of-this-world music” – (Pacific Sun)
“The Venusians are emissaries of sonic shamanism” – Sarah Quelland, Metro
“Your music is the new cool” – Stan Getz
“We book bands worldwide for our events, The Venusians are our favorites” -Events Dept., Audi
“….and in a category of their own, The Venusians are a rare musical treat not to be missed” – Lloyd Barde, Common Ground Magazine
“The way you (Matt) play the EVI is so smooth, so real, just beautiful” – Herbie Hancock
“Thank you Matt and Venusians for helping to make our Spring 2003 Gala such a great success” – Staff, San Francisco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
“…East and West meets the cosmos…with a hint of jazz. I really like these guys” – Chet Helms
“The Venusians are the coolest groove-meisters of contemporary music” – Jon Zimmerman (film and theater producer, Media, The Musical, Mama’s Boy)
“The Venusians sound is like nothing else this side of Venus” – Andy Jacobi (Churn magazine)
“…beautiful, sexy, magical, mysterious, hip music. The Venusians are my all time fovorite band.” – Jane Heaven, Public Radio Producer
“The music you play is always inspiring. Bravo, Venusians.” – Yair Ben-Schlomo, Publisher - The Annual Guides for the Arts, SF, LA, DC, Houston, Boston