Backed by her powerhouse Minneapolis band, Lucia Sarmiento is set to deliver explosive sax solos, unstoppable energy, and a bold new take on pop and jazz from her debut album, Escape.

On her remarkable debut album, Escape (spring 2025), Peruvian American saxophonist and composer Lucia Sarmiento emerges as a rising star of the modern jazz scene, delivering playful yet intricate melodies. “When I play the saxophone, I love that feeling of danger,” says Sarmiento. With a powerful tenor sound and an effervescent personality, she explains, “I’m drawn to music filled with intensity and risk that captures every fiber of your being in the moment; that’s why I love jazz.”

Lucia has performed on sold-out stages with international pop stars Pitbull and Karol G, and she has headlined jazz festivals under her own name. Her fearless approach to music and her commitment to crafting bold, textured compositions make her an exciting voice in contemporary jazz.

In 2013, a saxophone performance scholarship brought her to Minneapolis, MN, where she has been an active member of the music scene ever since. “Minneapolis raised me musically,” she reflects. “It's a smaller city compared to Los Angeles or New York City, but the music scene is vibrant, steeped in the legacy of Prince. I began performing with Prince’s longtime collaborators and Weather Report’s legendary drummer Eric Gravatt right out of college. I got to explore every genre, from Minneapolis funk to brass band and from Motown to free jazz. What was really important was that I came to develop my own sound. At first, it wasn’t easy to keep up with the loud drums, distorted guitars, and very experienced funk players, so I spent lots of time working on my sound and time. I also admire how Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, and Chris Potter play with so much strength and a sense of urgency—that's how I want to play.”

In recent years, Lucia has gained a social media following of more than 100,000 people, frequently releasing educational videos in Spanish and English that provide a global perspective on jazz and saxophone. She has represented and collaborated with brands like Yamaha, Akai, Theo Wanne, Eastman, RS Berkeley, BG, Jean-Paul USA, Syos, Key Leaves among others. She has collaborated with esteemed jazz artists such as Chad Lefkovitz-Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Melissa Aldana, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Grace Kelly, Antwaun Stanley, and Ella Briceno.

Band Members:

Lucia Sarmiento - saxophone, compositions, vocals
Jason Craft - Keys, Synth
David Feily - Guitar
Aníbal Soares - Bass
Pete James Johnson - Drums