LA Phil Names Adès, Estrada, Joy to Leadership
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has appointed three new creative chairs to its reimagined artistic leadership team.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
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The LA Phil has appointed Thomas Adès, Silvana Estrada, and Samara Joy to its artistic leadership team. Herbie Hancock and John Adams were named Creative Chair Emeritus for Jazz and New Music, respectively.
Why it matters
The appointments reshape the orchestra's leadership across new music, Latin music, and jazz programming in Los Angeles. The broadened team adds a dedicated Latin Music chair alongside the existing New Music and Jazz roles.
John Adams held the New Music chair for 17 years before passing the role to Thomas Adès, while Herbie Hancock has held the jazz chair since 2010. The announcement does not detail specific programming budgets or concert counts under the new leadership.
The players
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is a major American orchestra based at Walt Disney Concert Hall and known for its wide-ranging programming.
Thomas Adès
Thomas Adès is a British composer and conductor widely recognized for his contemporary operas and orchestral works.
Samara Joy
Samara Joy is an American jazz vocalist who has won multiple Grammy Awards for her recordings.
The details
Thomas Adès will serve as John and Samantha Williams Creative Chair for New Music, advising on commissioning and the Green Umbrella concert series. Silvana Estrada was named Creative Chair for Latin Music, and Samara Joy will succeed Hancock as Creative Chair for Jazz, overseeing the annual jazz series across LA Phil venues.
Timeline
2010: Herbie Hancock began holding the jazz chair position.
2027: The Green Umbrella concert series celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2027/28 season: Daniel Harding begins his tenure as Music Director.
Leadership Lineage
The appointments continue the orchestra's long tradition of pairing its new-music leadership with the Green Umbrella series, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2027. The addition of a Latin Music chair extends that programming model to a new genre.
Concertgoers in Los Angeles will see new programming shaped by the incoming creative chairs across Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford. The jazz, Latin, and new music series will be presented under the reimagined leadership team.
The takeaway
The leadership changes signal the orchestra's continued investment in jazz, Latin, and contemporary music. Audiences interested in these genres can follow the new creative chairs' programming across the LA Phil's venues.
What happens next
Daniel Harding begins his tenure as Music Director in the 2027/28 season.
Further reading
Explore more Los Angeles people profiles and leadership news from the city's cultural institutions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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