LJMS’s February Lineup Brings Grammy Winners and World-Class Artists to The Conrad

La Jolla Music Society is stacking February with some seriously impressive talent at The Conrad, and the lineup covers everything from Cuban jazz to operatic vocals to modern dance collaborations.

If you’ve been meaning to check out what’s happening at The Conrad this season, this month gives you plenty of reasons to finally commit.

Cuban Jazz Meets Classical Training

Grammy-nominated pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez kick things off on February 1 with two performances at The JAI. Rodriguez, a classically trained pianist discovered by Quincy Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival, pairs with Martinez, who learned Afro-Cuban folkloric percussion and vocal styles on the streets of Havana.

The combination of their backgrounds creates something fearless and virtuosic that apparently leaves audiences completely mesmerized.

Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez by Anna Webber

Vibraphone Grooves and Operatic Brilliance

Joel Ross brings his captivating vibraphone playing to The JAI on February 5, blending intricate melodies with deeply soulful grooves. His recent album nublues on Blue Note Records has been getting widespread acclaim, and his live shows are known for dynamic improvisation and tight band interplay.

Then on February 12, tenor Juan Diego Flórez takes the Baker-Baum Concert Hall stage with a program of operatic gems from Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Gounod, and Puccini. OperaWire calls him “one of the greatest tenors in the world,” and he’s nicknamed the “King of the High Cs” for good reason.

La Jolla Music Society’s February Concerts

Valentine’s Day with the Balourdet Quartet

The Balourdet Quartet returns for a special Valentine’s Day performance on February 14, bringing recent honors like the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant and Chamber Music America’s 2024 Cleveland Quartet Award with them.

They’re performing audience favorites including Ravel’s String Quartet, and The Conrad is going all out with Valentine’s decor and a candy bar where guests can customize their own bags. It’s the kind of date night that works whether you’re a classical music regular or just looking for something different.

Grammy-Winning Hawaiian Voice and Modern Dance Collaboration

Four-time Grammy winner Kalani Pe’a performs on February 15, bringing power, sensitivity, and charisma to Hawaiian music. He’s the only Hawaiian artist to win a Grammy for Best Regional Roots album and the first Hawaiian artist presented by Lincoln Center’s American Songbook.

Then on February 22, Ephrat Asherie Dance collaborates with Grammy-winning pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill on Shadow Cities, a contemplative piece exploring identity split between cities, memories, and generations.

The production features seven dancers and four musicians, with EAD’s choreography rooted in breaking, hip hop, house, and waacking paired with O’Farrill’s compositional range. A special $35 ticket zone is available for both performances.

Nature Photography and Piano Mastery Close Out the Month

Wildlife photographer and storm chaser Keith Ladzinski presents Forces of Nature on February 26, taking audiences from interior Antarctica first ascents to Tornado Alley storm chasing to Florida Everglades alligator dives. It’s part of the Changemaker Talks series and includes ASL interpretation.

Pianist Mao Fujita closes the month on February 27 with a program including Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 1, Wagner, Berg, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Liszt. Gramophone calls him “a master of tone colour,” and he’s returning following a sold-out debut.