Jörgen van Rijen was born on February 20, 1975 and started playing the trombone at age 8. From 1991 he studied with George Wiegel at the Rotterdam Conservatory where he finished his solo degree with the highest possible mark. He also studied with Michel Becquet at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon. Besides this he followed lessons and masterclasses with several teachers, such as Joseph Alessi, Bart van Lier and the Paris Trombone Quartet.

Since 1997 Jörgen has been principal trombonist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. Before that he held the same position with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. He also teaches the trombone at the Rotterdam Conservatory.

He won several prizes and competitions, including the first prize at the International Trombone Competition in Toulon, France in 2001, the first price at the International Trombone Competition in Guebwiller, France 1999, the first prize at the Holliday-Inn/ClassicFM Competition 1997 and the first prize at the National Soloist Contest for young musictalents in 1994. He was also laureate of the International Brass Competition of Nizhny Novgorod in Russia.

In March 2001 Jörgen made his solo debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with the trombone concerto of Henri Tomasi. He performed as a soloist with several other orchestras and ensembles, such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, The Netherlands Fanfare Orchestra, New Sinfonietta Amsterdam and the windband of the Royal Dutch Marines. Besides this he gave recitals in prestigious festivals such as The Festival Radio France in Montpellier and the Lieksa Brass Week in Finland. He has also given masterclasses in New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Helsinki, Lisbon and Amsterdam.