La Jolla Music Society 2025-2026 season: Here’s the star-studded lineup

by Madeline Nguyen • Times of San Diego

A performance in the Baker-Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad

Back in 2019, La Jolla Music Society’s $82 million Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center opened its doors as La Jolla’s premier venue for the biggest performing-arts stars to come to town.

The exterior of The Conrad at night — La Jolla Music Society opened its new home, the $82 million architectural gem The Conrad, in 2019 to be the new heart of classical culture in La Jolla. During shutdowns, concerts were live-streamed from The Conrad’s venues. (Photo by Bradley Joslin)

Then the pandemic shut everything down.

But the show must go on. The Conrad’s La Jolla Music Society turned on a camera and started live-streaming everything from a chamber-music marathon to jazz, straight from the empty venue’s vaulted theaters.

Five years later, The Conrad is on the comeback as the heart of culture in La Jolla with a new lineup of global piano sensations, jazz crooners and up-and-comers.

“The building saved us through COVID,” said La Jolla Music Society’s artistic director Leah Rosenthal, who orchestrated the new lineup.

“The world opened up, and this coming season is taking on the success of last year and going a little bit deeper.”

From this fall to next summer, the new season promises something for everyone. Global piano superstars Lang Lang and Daniil Trifonov will light up concert halls, dance-illusion company MOMIX will invite audiences down the rabbit hole in a trippy “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” inspired show, and the San Diego Opera will bring music, photography and poetry together for an immersive journey into the history of cotton and its intersection with Black resistance.

Chinese piano superstar Lang Lang plays a piano — Chinese piano superstar Lang Lang will be coming to San Diego for a special event at Jacobs Music Center on March 26, 2026. Tickets go on sale for the general public on October 1, 2025. (Photo by Gregor Hohenber and Buro Dirk Rudolph)

World-music acts like Portuguese fado singer Mariza and the Indian classical group Ravi Shankar Ensemble will also take San Diegans around the world from a seat at The Conrad.

And for music fans looking to hear a change of tune, a new class of at least 40 stars will make their San Diego debuts. They include big names, like Peruvian opera tenor Juan Diego Flórez, and younger up-and-comers, like jazz innovator Joel Ross.

Through it all, Rosenthal said the new season focuses on elevating music from an art form to an immersive experience, whether through intimate concert spaces, diverse genres or shows that thrill the eyes and ears.

“If you can get all of those elements right, then that builds the trust for the audience, for a person to want to come back, for the artist to want to come back, and then it culminates in an incredible performance,” she said.

Superstars: Up close and personal

“Africa’s premier diva” Angélique Kidjo typically enchants crowds of thousands with her Grammy-winning voice, from the Olympics to Carnegie Hall. But next May, San Diegans can hear the power of Kidjo’s striking, swinging voice up close and personal as it reverberates off the walls of The Conrad’s 481-seat Baker-Baum Concert Hall.

It’s a testament to the intimate listening experience that La Jolla Music Society crafts with its performances, especially once the upcoming season kicks off in September.

Musicians perform for the empty Baker-Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad — Global singing stars Angélique Kidjo and Juan Diego Flórez will give rare, intimate performances at La Jolla’s 481-seat Baker-Baum Concert Hall next year as a part of the upcoming season’s Connect to the Conrad program. Through the shows, audiences will get the chance to see and hear the musical legends up close. (Photo by Bradley Joslin)

“You’re hearing them like you’ve never heard them before,” Rosenthal said. “It adds a huge layer of feeling like you’re connecting with the artists because you can see every little detail.”

“You feel like this is a show just for you.”

Along with Kidjo, Flórez is another superstar singer who San Diegans will get the unique opportunity to connect with in a small, intimate crowd next season.

For those who’d like to be in even closer quarters with some of the jazz world’s most promising talents, The Conrad’s jazz-club style venue, The JAI, will be busy during the upcoming season with a romantic range of nightclub and cabaret-style performances.

A jazz band performs at The JAI, The Conrad’s jazz-club style venue — A class of jazz innovators will croon and swing on The JAI’s jazz-club style stage in La Jolla next season. The venue offers cabaret-style seating and food and beverage service. (Photo by Stacy Keck)

Many of the jazz innovators lighting up The JAI will be fresh faces. From Sunny Jain’s “Bollywood meets New Orleans” fusion to the Afro-Cuban spin of Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez, these debut acts will be putting their own take on the ever-evolving medium.

But the dozens of new talents who will be making their debuts in San Diego next season aren’t there just to mix things up. For Rosenthal, it’s also about making sure the city sees the next big stars before they blow up.

“People trust with those performances that they might be seeing the next Lang Lang of tomorrow,” she said.

All about jazz

Outside of The JAI, jazz tunes will be drifting through the air in San Diego during the upcoming season, which features one of La Jolla Music Society’s largest jazz lineups in its 56 years of performances.

The crowning celebration of next season’s jazz offerings will be April’s Jazz Mini-Festival, the second one ever held in the city after the inaugural celebration during Jazz Appreciation Month last year.

Jazz pianist Emmet Cohen plays two pianos while smiling. — Piano dynamo Emmet Cohen will open La Jolla Music Society’s second-ever Mini-Jazz Festival in April with two days of performances dedicated to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He’ll be taking to the stage of The JAI during Jazz Appreciation Month on April 6 and 7. (Photo by Gabriela Gabrielaa)

Next year’s Jazz Mini-Festival couldn’t come at a more perfect time. It’ll celebrate a century of jazz titans Miles Davis and John Coltrane, whose 100th birthdays are around the corner next year.

Over four days of jazz performances, pianist Emmet Cohen, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, John Coltrane’s son Ravi Coltrane and many more venerated talents will pay tribute to Davis’ and John Coltrane’s enduring musical legacies.

La Jolla Music Society 2025-2026 season

Sept. 24-25: Daniil Trifonov, piano, 7:30 p.m., $40-$100 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Sept. 27: Endea Owens and The Cookout, jazz, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $55-62 at The JAI

Oct. 11: Bill Charlap Trio, jazz, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $65-$120 at The JAI

Oct. 18: Brad Mehldau and Christian McBride, jazz, 7:30 p.m., $65-$120 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov plays a piano. — Russian piano virtuoso Daniil Trifonov will open La Jolla Music Society’s upcoming season with back-to-back performances on Sept. 24 and 25 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall. His shows will feature classical compositions by German luminaries George Frideric Handel, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. (Photo by Dario Acosta)

Oct. 26: Dmitry Shishkin, piano, 3 p.m., $48-$75, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Nov. 7: Mariza, fado, 7:30 p.m., $53.50-$93.50 at Balboa Theatre

Nov. 9: Ballet Preljocaj: “Gravity,” 7 p.m., $43.50-$110.50 at Civic Theatre

Nov. 13: Andreas Ottensamer, clarinet; Kian Soltani, cello; and Alessio Bax, piano, 7:30 p.m., $63-$90 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Nov. 14: Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert, 6 p.m., adults $43.50-$63.50, children $23.50-$43.50 at Balboa Theatre

Nov. 16: Raphaël Feuillâtre, guitar, 3 p.m., $45-$70 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Nov. 20: Yulianna Avdeeva, piano, 7:30 p.m., $63-$95 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Dancers from France's Ballet Preljocaj perform in a circular arrangement. — Twelve dancers of Ballet Preljocaj will be coming from France to San Diego in the fall to glide and twirl at the stage of San Diego Civic Theatre. On Nov. 9, they’ll be presenting “Gravity,” a dance show about the liberation of bodies. (Photo by Jean Claude Carbonne)

Dec. 5: Mireya Ramos, mariachi, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $73-$83 at The JAI

Dec. 6: MOMIX: “Alice,” 7:30 p.m., $35.50-$120.50 at San Diego Civic Theatre

Dec. 11: “The Holidays” with Canadian Brass, 7:30 p.m., $60-$80 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Dec. 14: Philipp Schupelius, cello, and Julius Asal, piano, 3 p.m., $41-$70 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Jan. 15: Doug Smith: “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone,” 7:30 p.m., $36-$56, the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Jan. 16: COTTON (co-production with San Diego Opera), 7:30 p.m., $63-$118 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Three performers from dance-illusion company MOMIX twirl sheets onstage. — Dance-illusion company MOMIX is coming to San Diego Civic Theatre for an “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” inspired performance that will thrill the eyes and ears on Dec. 6. (Photo courtesy of La Jolla Music Society)

Jan. 18: Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East, jazz, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $75-$81 at The JAI

Jan. 22: Lucas and Arthur Jussen, piano, 7:30 p.m., $75-$110 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Jan. 30: Compagnie Hervé Koubi: “Sol Invictus,” 7:30 p.m., $40.50-$103.50 at Balboa Theatre

Feb. 1: Pedrito Martinez, percussion, and Alfredo Rodriguez, piano, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $86-$90 at The JAI

Feb. 5: Joel Ross: “Good Vibes,” 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $70-$75 at The JAI

Feb. 12: Juan Diego Flórez, tenor, 7:30 p.m., $100-$165 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Feb. 14: Arod Quartet, strings, 7:30 p.m., $63-$80 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Feb. 15: Kalani Pe’a, Hawaiian music, 7:30 p.m., $55-$85 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

A portrait of Peruvian opera tenor Juan Diego Flórez — Leading Peruvian opera tenor Juan Diego Flórez is among the biggest name La Jolla Music Society is bringing to town next season. He’s slated to perform for an intimate crowd at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall on Feb. 12. (Photo by Kristin Hoebermann)

Feb. 22: Ephrat Asherie Dance with Arturo O’Farrill: “Shadow Cities,” 7:30 p.m., $45-$85 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Feb. 26: Keith Ladzinski: “Forces of Nature,” 7:30 p.m., $36-$56 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Feb. 27: Mao Fujita, piano, 7:30 p.m., $75-$105 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

March 4-5: Chucho Valdés & Arturo Sandoval Legacy Quintet, jazz, 7:30 p.m., $75-$115 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

March 12: The Bad Plus with Chris Potter and Craig Taborn, jazz, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $86-$90 at The JAI

March 20: Le Consort: “A Trio Sonata Soirée,” 7:30 p.m., $63-$96 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

March 21: Augustin Hadelich, violin, and Francesco Piemontesi, piano, 8 p.m., $80-$126 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

March 22: Doodle POP, theater, 3 p.m., $35 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

March 26: Lang Lang, piano, 7:30 p.m., $82-$222 at Jacobs Music Center

March 29: Ravi Shankar Ensemble, Indian classical music, 7:30 p.m., $55-$90 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

April 6-7: Emmet Cohen Presents: “Miles & Coltrane at 100,” 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $75-$81 at The JAI

April 9: Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane: “Miles Davis & John Coltrane at 100,” 7:30 p.m., $65.50-$110.50 at Balboa Theatre

An onstage performance by dance group Compagnie Hervé Koubi — Dance brotherhood Compagnie Hervé Koubi is among the emerging stars making their San Diego debuts next season. The dance company will be coming to town on Jan. 30 to showcase their dynamic show “Sol Invictus,” whose inspirations range from street dance to the Mediterranean, at Balboa Theatre. (Photo by Mélanie Lhote)

April 11: “Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once” featuring Joe Lovano and Melissa Aldana, 7:30 p.m., $75-$105 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

April 12: Danish String Quartet and Danish National Girls’ Choir, 3 p.m., $65-$98 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

April 15: Gautier Capuçon, cello, and Jean Yves Thibaudet, piano, 7:30 p.m., $68-$98 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

April 18: Benny Benack III: “The Magic of Manhattan,” 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $75-$81 at The JAI

April 19: Aristo Sham, piano, 3 p.m., $53-$80 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

April 24: Aaron Diehl Trio, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $75-$81 at The JAI

April 25: “Dancing on Tiptoes: A Musical Exploration of Melody, Movement and Mood” (co-production with Art of Elan), 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., $38 at The JAI

April 25: Alexandre Kantorow, piano, 7:30 p.m., $75-$105 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

May 3: Angélique Kidjo, West African fusion, 7:30 p.m., $78-$118 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

African musician Angélique Kidjo sings onstage. — Grammy-winning singing star Angélique Kidjo, who is known as “Africa’s premier diva,” will be bringing her soulful voice to La Jolla on May 3. (Photo by Marc Arthur)

May 9: Hayato Sumino, piano, 7:30 p.m., $75-$105 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

May 14: Tracy Drain: “Cosmic Adventures,” 7:30 p.m., $36-$56 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

May 16: Shenel Johns, jazz, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $55-$62 at The JAI

May 31: Stella Chen, violin, and Gilles Vonsattel, piano, 3 p.m., $40-$70 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall

June 6: Jiyhe Lee Orchestra, jazz, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $70-$75 at The JAI

Tickets

Tickets for La Jolla Music Society’s 2025-2026 season are available online, by phone at (858) 459-3728, and at The Conrad’s box office. Subscription packages are currently on sale, ranging from $153 for Speaker Series – Price Level C packages to $455 for Piano Series – Price Level A packages.

Single tickets and Compose Your Own discounted packages for three or more concerts go on sale on July 10.

Tickets for Lang Lang’s concert on March 26 will be available for the general public on Oct. 1.