The Sunday night A series at The Rady Shell this season features an unmatched lineup of superstars from the worlds of rock, pop and Broadway. Over seven summer evenings you'll see live performances by Audra McDonald, Jason Mraz and Pink Martini with the San Diego Symphony, along with concert appearances by Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Gipsy Kings and The Beach Boys. As an extra treat, you'll hear a dual tribute to those icons of American music Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.
An Evening with AUDRA MCDONALD
Sunday, June 30, 7:30pm
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she received a National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. She won Tonys for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, which also served as the vehicle for her Olivier-nominated 2017 West End debut.
Audra McDonald joins the San Diego Symphony for a special evening of Broadway favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, George Gershwin, and many others, with songs from her latest album, Sing Happy.
Photos © Allison Michael Orenstein
Audra McDonald, vocalist
Andy Einhorn, conductor
Jeremy Ajani Jordan, piano
Gene Lewin, drums
Mark Vanderpoel, bass
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Icons of Song: The Music of Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder
Sunday, July 7, 7:30pm
This second edition of Icons of Song from maestro Ted Sperling brings together the music of two legendary American singer-songwriters: Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. Each artist boasts a singular and far-reaching catalog of songs that have unquestionably become part of America’s, and the world’s, shared musical history.
Both musicians have been crafting tunes and enchanting audiences for more than half a century, penning hundreds of songs from "Bridge over Troubled Water" to "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and many, many more. In this special symphonic program, favorite hits as well as a few deep cuts are brought to life by three powerhouse signers in new orchestrations that showcase the enduring excitement of these iconic songs.
Ted Sperling, conductor
Vocalists TBA
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
LOS LOBOS + LOS LONELY BOYS: The Brotherhood Tour
Sunday, August 4, 7:00pm
...with special guest SON ROMPE PERA!
Get ready to experience an electrifying fusion of musical talent as two legendary bands, Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, come together for an unforgettable co-headlining tour, aptly titled "The Brotherhood Tour." Joining them as support is the dynamic group Son Rompe Pera. This tour promises to be a celebration of culture, camaraderie and the unifying power of music.
Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.
JASON MRAZ and THE SUPERBAND: The Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride
Sunday, August 11, 7:30pm
Jason Mraz and The Superband return to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, this time backed up by the glorious sounds of the San Diego Symphony, one of only two dates on this tour accompanied by symphony orchestra!
Jason Mraz and The Superband
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
GIPSY KINGS featuring NICOLAS REYES
Sunday, August 18, 7:30pm
Gipsy Kings, founded in 1978 in Arles and Montpellier, in southern France, are well known for their mix of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop. Gipsy Kings became popular with their self-titled third album, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba", "Bamboléo", and the ballad "Un Amor". Nicolas Reyes, founder and lead singer, heads this band, still made up of members of the Reyes and Baliardo families.
Note: the San Diego Symphony Orchestra does not appear on this program.
PINK MARTINI featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour
Sunday, August 25, 7:30pm
Pink Martini, the globetrotting “little orchestra,” helmed by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, returns to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park to celebrate their 30th anniversary year with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A night of big, bold, genre-defying songs brings the audience on a trip through time and space. Featuring lead singer China Forbes, this band is “impressive at every musician’s station,” as Variety says; “the ensemble produces music that’s charming and elegant.”
Evan Roider, conductor
Thomas Lauderdale, piano
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
THE BEACH BOYS: Endless Summer Gold
Sunday, September 1, 7:30pm
The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Between the 1960s and today, the group had over 80 songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in the US Top 40 (the most by a US rock band), and four topping the Billboard Hot 100. Their influence on other artists spans musical genres and movements. Countless artists have cited Pet Sounds as their inspiration for creating their own musical masterpieces. Rolling Stone ranked Pet Sounds No. 2 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and The Beach Boys No. 12 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”
The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and critically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.
(Note: This concert will not feature Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks. The San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.)
No Longer Available (Series Under Way)