On her remarkable debut album, 2025’s Escape, Peruvian-American saxophonist/composer Lucia Sarmiento emerges as a rising star in modern jazz. Here, she delivers 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. Additionally, she has also headlined jazz festivals under her own name. Her fearless approach to music and her commitment to crafting bold, textured compositions make her an exciting new jazz voice.

“Minneapolis raised me musically,” she reflects. “It’s a smaller city compared to LA or NYC, but the music scene is vibrant, steeped in the legacy of Prince. I began performing with Prince’s long-time 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 over 100k+ people. Also, she has released educational videos in Spanish and English that provide a global perspective on jazz and saxophone.