The Victor Vrankulj Trio is a seasoned jazz ensemble rooted in over 15 years of collaboration, blending classic standards with inventive jazz interpretations of folk melodies. The trio—Victor Vrankulj (bass), Josh Smiley (piano), and Mike Rajna (drums)—brings a warm, conversational approach to their music, shaped by deep experience and shared musical intuition.

Victor Vrankulj, a Hamilton-born multi-instrumentalist, has been playing bass for over 20 years. A graduate of Mohawk College and the University of Toronto, he has performed jazz and bluegrass across Canada.

Josh Smiley, a Hamilton native and honours graduate of Mohawk College and the University of Toronto, is an in-demand pianist in Toronto’s jazz scene, performing with top-tier ensembles including the Rex Hotel Orchestra and the Marie Goudy 12tet.

Mike Rajna, originally from Waterloo, is a versatile drummer with roots in both performance and education. A graduate of Mohawk College and the University of Toronto, he’s played internationally—including at the Montreux and Vienne Jazz Festivals—and collaborates widely across genres.

Together, the trio delivers a rich and swinging sound marked by deep chemistry, subtle interplay, and a love for the jazz tradition.