Biography
Victor Louis Goines, born on August 6, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana, began studying clarinet at age eight and graduated from St. Augustine High School before earning a Bachelor of Music Education from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1984 and a Master of Music from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1990.[1][3][6] A master of saxophone and clarinet, Goines developed his style rooted in traditional New Orleans jazz, big band, and avant-garde influences, performing with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder early in his career.[2][4] Since 1993, he has been a core member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis Septet, contributing to over 20 recordings including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Blood on the Fields (1997), soundtracks for Ken Burns documentaries like Jazz (1999), and numerous Blue Engine Records releases such as Live in Cuba (2015) and Handful of Keys (2017).[1][3]
As a leader, Goines has released ten albums, including Genesis (AFO, 1992), A Dance at the Mardi Gras Ball (2016, Rosemary Joseph Records), and New Adventures (Criss Cross, 2006), showcasing his compositional prowess with over 200 original works and commissions like Untamed Elegance (2016) and Crescent City (2014) for Jazz at Lincoln Center.[1][2][3] His career blends performance, composition, and education; he served as artistic director of Juilliard's jazz program (2000-2007), expanding it to offer formal degrees, and as director of jazz studies at Northwestern University (2008-2022), alongside faculty roles at Florida A&M, University of New Orleans, Loyola, and Xavier University.[1][2][3] In September 2022, he became President and CEO of Jazz St. Louis, continuing his legacy as an educator and administrator.[1][3][4]
Goines' musical style reflects his New Orleans heritage, emphasizing swing, improvisation, and ensemble interplay, while his enduring commitment to jazz education has shaped generations of musicians through clinics, workshops, and program development worldwide.[1][2][5]
Fun Facts
- Goines contributed to the Pulitzer Prize-winning album Blood on the Fields by Wynton Marsalis in 1997, one of the first jazz compositions to win the award.[1][3]
- He performed on soundtracks for three Ken Burns documentaries: Jazz (1999), Unforgivable Blackness (2004), and The War (2007).[1][3]
- A prolific composer, Goines has over 200 original works, including commissions like The Four Winds Suite (2021) for the Music Institute of Chicago.[1]
- He expanded Juilliard's jazz program from a collaborative effort with Jazz at Lincoln Center to include full Bachelor and Master of Music degrees.[1][2]
Associated Acts
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - clarinet
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - bass clarinet
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - tenor saxophone
- Wynton Marsalis Septet
- Victor Goines Quartet - eponymous, original
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Wynton Marsalis - Long-term bandleader and key influence through Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (Blood on the Fields (1997), Live in Cuba (2015), Handful of Keys (2017)) [1993-present]
Key Collaborators
- Wynton Marsalis Septet - Core member, touring and recording ensemble (In This House, On This Morning (1994), Joe Cool's Blues (1995), The Marciac Suite (1999)) [1993-present]
- Terence Blanchard - Frequent performance and recording collaborator (Various Jazz at Lincoln Center projects) [1990s-present]
- Branford Marsalis - Commissioned compositions and performances (Untamed Elegance (2016), Crescent City (2014)) [2010s]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Early performance collaborations (Live performances and recordings) [1980s-1990s]
Artists Influenced
- Juilliard Jazz Studies students - Expanded program during his directorship, leading to formal degrees (Bachelor and Master of Music programs) [2000-2007]
- Northwestern University jazz students - Director of jazz studies, mentoring through Bienen School of Music (Jazz studies curriculum) [2008-2022]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Zookeeper | 2025-04-18 | Album |
| Apocalypse Crush | 2023-08-19 | Album |
| Long Cold Night Walk | 2020-12-11 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Mother Teresa (Mother Teresa)
- White Fang Safari (White Fang Safari)
- We Go to Russia (We Go to Russia)
- The Baghdad Bengals (Zookeeper)
- Do It for the Plot (Zookeeper)
- Zookeeper (Zookeeper)
- We Go to Russia (Zookeeper)
- White Fang Safari - Remix (White Fang Safari (Remix))
- We Go to Russia (White Fang Safari)
- A Plan Begins to Form (Zookeeper)
External Links
Tags: #jazz, #post-bop
References
Heard on WWOZ
Victor Goines has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 2025 | 04:27 | Spare Timefrom Genesis | Overnight Music - Tuesday |