Victor Antonetti Jr. comes from a long line of talented musicians.
After moving to Rochester from Salinas, Puerto Rico, fifty-five years ago, his father, Victor Sr., founded Orquesta Antonetti to share his passion for Latin salsa music with upstate New York.
Today, the younger Antonetti—who first found his own success performing with acts like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Marc Anthony—leads the thirteen-member orchestra and writes songs for the group. He plays multiple instruments, including Latin percussion instruments and piano, and he is currently learning to play upright bass.
The orchestra performs most frequently in the summer, and the challenge is finding venues that can accommodate such a large musical act. This summer, the orchestra will perform in Ohio and throughout upstate New York.
To celebrate more than half a century of Orquesta Antonetti, the City of Rochester and Monroe County both issued separate proclamations (a formal declaration/recognition) for the band this year.
“Legislators feel that [the orchestra’s] contribution to the arts and their sharing of Latin culture through music over the years in Rochester and beyond is important to recognize,” says Nayeliz Santiago, deputy clerk of the legislature. “The members of the orchestra have also contributed to our community beyond the arts—as business owners, through nonprofit work, and more.
”Music has transcended generations in the family, from Antonetti’s great-grandfather down to his own children. Throughout his childhood, his grandparents would host frequent community gatherings, and his own home had a large practice room that could fit sixty or seventy people—so musicians would gather often.
“There was music constantly. Family gatherings turned into jam sessions, and international artists would come over and play until five in the morning,” says Antonetti. “My kids sing and practice all day long now.”
All three of his children—Alejandro, Isabela, and Jayslynn—are musicians, and Isabela is currently starring as the lead in Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway. Antonetti says he’s overjoyed and still in awe of Isabela’s accomplishment.
In addition to cultivating his own musical talents and those of his family, Antonetti is also creating opportunities for emerging artists, including local ones, as director of marketing and sponsorships for PODER 97.1. The station is Rochester’s first twenty-four-hour Latin radio station, owned by Ibero-American Action League (Ibero).
There, Antonetti has played a key role in “promoting cultural programming and uplifting Latin voices in Rochester, especially through . . . various community initiatives,” according to Jason Barber, Ibero’s International Plaza manager.
At PODER, Antonetti has the chance to connect with local audiences, often acting as a conduit for the Latin community and introducing them to helpful services provided by Ibero and other local organizations. He conducts on-air interviews with individuals and organizations that raise awareness for and support different causes, provide aid during emergencies, and lead fundraising efforts.
“We take pride in offering community members a platform to share their initiatives, which is something not typically offered by commercial radio stations,” says Antonetti. In addition to his work for Ibero through PODER, he also supports the organization’s International Plaza or La Marketa, an open-air Latin-themed marketplace and event space on North Clinton Avenue.
Through his music and work with Ibero, Antonetti has “helped shape the cultural fabric of our city,” says Barber. “From the global stage to local classrooms, his influence is far-reaching—and deeply rooted in Rochester.”
Given his visibility in the community, families often reach out to Antonetti directly for guidance and referrals to the services they need. Ibero provides a variety of programs and resources for the community, and Antonetti says he does his best to connect individuals with the appropriate support.
“It’s all about being a resource and creating connection,” he says. “Families call about everything—housing, pet mistreatment, lack of safe spaces for certain age groups. I try to help however I can through what I know: music and entertainment. But I also refer people to counselors, insurance agents, housing resources—anything that might help. I always say, ‘I know a guy!’”
In addition to running an orchestra and working with Ibero, Antonetti is also the sole owner of the Avalon, an event and performance space on State Street. The space provides full-service catering for corporate functions, agency gatherings, and private events. Antonetti’s daughter Jayslynn plays a key role in managing the business, and his aunt, Bienvenida Antonetti, works as head chef, creating authentic, homestyle dishes.
As a man who keeps family close and serves the community regularly, Antonetti celebrates his community and Hispanic heritage all year long, but Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time for reflection.
“[It’s a time] when the community comes together to celebrate culture, music, and art—and to educate our youth about the traditions we grew up with,” he says. “From folkloric music to the rich histories of different Latin countries, it’s a beautiful time to reflect and share.”
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of (585).
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