Tom Jacobs

Tom Jacobs is a former senior staff writer for Santa Barbara-based Pacific Standard magazine, and a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Daily News and Santa Barbara News-Press. He tracks and analyzes trends in the arts and social sciences, with an emphasis on psychology, the role of culture and the cultivation of creativity. A native of Chicago, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Articles By This Author

Tom Jacobs - December 8, 2025

The architecture titan who designed Walt Disney Concert Hall passed at age 96.

Tom Jacobs - December 2, 2025

The tenor, who ignores partitions between musical styles, brings Verdi, Sinatra, and Sondheim to LA Opera.

Tom Jacobs - November 11, 2025

Diego Incertis Sànchez, who previously played for the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia, will begin in the role in January 2026.

Tom Jacobs - November 4, 2025

The event space will cost $25 million and be available for year-round use.

Tom Jacobs - October 31, 2025

The program celebrates the United States’ 250th “birthday” with canonical works placed alongside new pieces by American composers.

Tom Jacobs - October 28, 2025

Vonsattel will tour Southern California with the Beethoven sonatas and play them at next year’s Music@Menlo festival.

Tom Jacobs - October 13, 2025

The Recovered Voices project is expanding with a new archive.

Tom Jacobs - September 10, 2025

Abrams, who has often performed with the LA Phil, will assume the leadership role on September 1, 2026.

Tom Jacobs - July 24, 2025

A defining voice in California civil rights history takes center stage in Dolores, set for its world premiere at West Edge Opera.

Tom Jacobs - July 21, 2025

The Venezuelan ensemble, set to appear in a series of concerts conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, had to pull out “due to travel complications.”