Victor Jones —Rutgers IJS Presents the Victor Jones Orchestrio

Victor Jones is a legendary American jazz drummer and bandleader, born in Newark, New Jersey in 1954, whose career spans more than five decades across the worlds of jazz, world music, fusion, and orchestral improvisation.

Joining Victor Jones for this special Rutgers IJS performance are three extraordinary artists: Roberta Piket on piano, celebrated for her expressive touch and adventurous harmonic sense; Gabriel Baldo on bass, bringing deep groove and modern jazz fluency; and Janétza Miranda on vocals, whose dynamic presence and soulful clarity add a powerful dimension to the Orchestrio’s sound. Together, they create a vibrant, genre‑crossing ensemble that amplifies Jones’s signature energy and rhythmic brilliance.

About Victor Jones

Jones began his musical life on trumpet, studying the instrument for ten years and performing in the Elmwood Elementary School symphonic orchestra before shifting his focus to drums at age twelve, inspired by televised performances by Louis Armstrong and later by the Beatles.
He continued his formal training at Berklee College of Music, studying privately with master drummers Elvin Jones, Freddie Waits, and Ed Blackwell.

By the early 1970s, Jones was touring the U.S. and Europe with Lou Donaldson, followed by work with Johnny Mathis. In 1977, he joined Stan Getz’s band, touring globally and performing on several of Getz’s recordings, including Children of the World and White Heat.
His career expanded to collaborations with major artists including James Moody, Michel Petrucciani, Stanley Clarke, Phyllis Hyman, Dizzy Gillespie, Chaka Khan, and many others.

Jones is widely regarded as a visionary drummer and bandleader, equally at home in traditional jazz, modern jazz, and world‑music hybrids. His work includes Grammy‑recognized projects such as the EMI Korean recording Second Moon (Record of the Year, 2006) and Papo Vasquez’s Best Latin Jazz Recording (2008).

Today, Victor Jones continues to push boundaries with his ensemble The Orchestrio, blending jazz improvisation, global rhythms, and chamber‑like textures. His performances are known for their high energy, deep groove, and fearless creativity, making him one of the most dynamic drummers of his generation.

Check out the livestream on the Clement’s Place Jazz and IJS Facebook pages and on our YouTube channel –

https://www.facebook.com/events/407513298157352/?ref=newsfeed

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf8W7q1qlz0yt5Ebcn4tkSQ

https://www.facebook.com/InstituteJazzStudies