An extraordinary Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season ended with fanfare as the WUT team announced the 2025–26 Jazz Series and Classical Series.
Building on WUT’s rich legacy of curating world-class performing arts experiences, these series bring together globally acclaimed artists and bold, rising stars for transformative live jazz and chamber music performances. Uniquely, the WUT season is programmed with input from both seasoned arts professionals and students, ensuring that the future of the arts as well as time-honored traditions take center stage in Madison.
Ready to read the lineup that had audience members on their feet?
Without further ado, our 2025-26 Jazz Series lineup that celebrates the history of jazz and its continual evolution:
- Luedji Luna, Sept. 25
- HIROMI'S Sonicwonder, Oct. 2
- Samara Joy, Nov. 15
- Jason Moran and the Harlem Hellfighters, Feb. 7, 2026
- Emmet Cohen: "Miles and Coltrane at 100" featuring Jeremy Pelt and Tivon Pennicott, Feb. 28, 2026
- Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera Reunion Sextet, April 30, 2026
The Classical Series takes patrons along a journey from the foundations of chamber music classics to breathtaking contemporary work:
- Pianist Richard Goode, Oct. 23
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Dec. 5
- Emily - No Prisoner Be: Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three, Feb. 12, 2026
- Soprano Erin Morley and tenor Lawrence Brownlee, March 5, 2026
- Doric String Quartet, March 22, 2026
- Attacca Quartet with composer and singer Caroline Shaw, April 16, 2026
Visit the event pages on the website for program details. The WUT team will announce additional events, including theater, comedy, and dance, by June 10.
YOUR TICKETS TO WORLD-CLASS PERFORMING ARTS
Current Jazz Series and Classical Series subscribers: You have the exclusive first chance to renew your subscription and guarantee your same seats for the 2025–26 season by renewing before May 30. Click here. Starting June 10, you can mix and match from Classical, Jazz, and more with build-your-own packages of 3-5 or 6+ performances. Click here.
New Jazz Series and Classical Series subscribers: Starting June 10, take advantage of subscriber discounts and seat preferences for the Classical and Jazz Series subscriptions. Starting June 10, you can mix and match from Classical, Jazz, and more with build-your-own packages of 3-5 or 6+ performances. Click here.
All build-your-own subscriptions are available starting June 10. Click here.
All Single tickets: Beginning June 24, all patrons can purchase single tickets while supplies last to 2025–26 WUT season events. Click here.
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
By subscribing to the Jazz or Classical series or purchasing a build-your-own subscription, subscribers gain early access to purchase tickets to attend a WUT-hosted performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Jan. 28, 2026, while ticket supplies last. The subscriber presale date will be announced later this summer. This is the only scheduled Wisconsin performance for the 90-piece orchestra with guest pianist Benjamin Grosvenor. If still available, the WUT team anticipates that any remaining Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tickets will become available for purchase to non-subscribers in fall 2025. The program includes Berlioz, Beethoven, and Shostakovich.
MADISON JAZZ FESTIVAL
While you await the 2025-26 season, world-class arts experiences continue with WUT-hosted Madison Jazz Festival events at the Memorial Union Terrace. Featured headliners include Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble on June 15 and Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few on June 14. Visit our website for a list of all performances beginning at 1 pm.