Drop that beat with Percussionist, Actor and Comedian Victor Orlando

Victor Orlando dances to the beat of his own drums he is a Dallas Texas native who now resides in Los Angeles, California. Victor has been a Percussionist for some of the biggest names in the music entertainment arena. He’s played for Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, Chaka Khan, Teena Marie and many more. He started playing in High School. Victor is also known for movies like Black Dynamite (2009), For the Love of Money (2012) and $40 Million (2012). He’s a comedian and well known for his Richard Pryor impersonator.

“I got started back in high school just loving music and playing in the local bands at home in Dallas. Then it got too big for me. Dallas got too little because what I was doing got bigger, so I decided to move to California.”

When Victor moved to California his career really took off which he believes was all in God’s plans. Victor didn’t come from a musical family and was the first in his family to play a musical instrument. Victor’s parents owned their own tailor shops which Victor was not interested in the family business due to his love for music. Because of Victor’s love for music his parents were not pleased with his decision but it didn’t stop Victor from doing what he loved. Victor found out that all the glitz and glamor came with some dust and ashes as well.

“The first person I played for when I came to LA was Billy Preston. I went in the studio and did an album for him which was my first Hollywood let down. Back then you would run to the record store and look on the back of the album to see your name and mine wasn’t there. Later I found out that you could do a lot of tracks but, if they don’t like them, they won’t put them on the album.”

Victor didn’t allow this let down to deter him from his purpose; he realized it was just business and continued to pursue his dream. Sometimes people would even forget to put his name on the record or album even though this was disappointing Victor as well he kept going. Victor realizes quitters never win and winners never quit. 

I’m celebrating my 50^th year in the business from graduating high school saying this is what I’m going to do and turning it into a paycheck which turned into a profession which has taken off. Sometimes you get paid and sometimes you don’t but it’s part of the profession.” 

Victor also was diagnosed with prostate cancer which knocked him off his game for a minute but he is a fighter and beat that disease. Victor wants to let people know this is his testimony the odds are fifty, fifty and if God is not finished with you, you’re on the good side and if he’s finished with your life then He’s calling you home. Well, he’s still here and his calendar is booked for December.

“I have three gigs, for Saturday December 3rd I have a Christmas show at the Biltmore Hotel, which is a private thing. I’m going to Palm Springs for five days for a big Christmas event after that I come back to LA for another big Christmas event on December 29^th.”

As you can see Victor is still going full force. If you would like to find out more about this talented percussionist, you can visit him on his website www.victororlando.com. He’s also on iTunes, eMusic and Spotify.