Influenced by his father, a long established musician in Peru, Mano Ventura started playing the guitar when he was five years old, making his first appearance in Lima at the age of nine. By the time he was fifteen he had played with various Latin bands and had begun writing. Following a period in Puerto Rico playing with the Creole Orquestra de Lucho Macedo he moved to the UK and was snapped up by Marshall Chess, the Rolling Stones' manager.

In the UK he played with an array of rock and blues musicians including Graham Bond, Peter Green, Paul Kossoff, Steve Winwood and Doctor John. His interest in the wide range of musical forms led him to study both Chinese and Indian music and study the sitar, and these influences are still apparent in his work.

Over the years he has led bands featuring some of the most prominent musicians in Britain including Courtney Pine, Roberto Pla, Michael and Mark Mondesir, Steve Williamson and Julian Joseph. His work is varied ranging from large ensemble work to the more intimate acoustic settings where he has worked in partnership with the acclaimed tabla player, Talvin Singh.

With his new band, Noh Ground, he brings together a kaleidoscope of influences, blending his Peruvian roots together with Indian, Latin and African rhythms. Driving drum and bass patterns weave in and out of a rich texture of melodic lines from the guitar, punctuated with powerful crescendos from the front line brass.