Bio
Eliot Seppa is a bassist, composer, arranger, and bandleader from Washington, DC.
He began playing the upright bass at nine years old and the electric bass at 14. Eliot graduated from Howard University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music in 2013 and his Master’s Degree in Music in 2018, both in Jazz Studies.
Whether listening or playing, Eliot has always loved many different types of music. He is equally comfortable playing with a jazz quartet, pit orchestra, pop singer, gospel choir, or rapper. His affinity for soaking in the nuances of these different genres has led him to opportunities to perform with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Samara Joy, Cyrus Chestnut, Angelique Kidjo, Four80East, Jason Moran, Kokayi, Christie Dashiell, Braxton Cook, and Warren Wolf. He has toured internationally with The Impressions, Raul Midon, Hailu Mergia, Cecily, Elijah Jamal Balbed, and Cheik Hamala Diabate.
Eliot leads jazz groups ranging in size from a trio to a big band. His compositions and arrangements embrace rich harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and organic interplay between band members. Eliot was chosen as one of six Artists in Residence at the Strathmore Music Center in Maryland for the 2019 season.
Eliot currently teaches jazz bass at George Washington University in Washington, DC.