Sound Screen Episode 208: Women's History Month 2025 Edition: Interview with Peruvian Artist Claudia Medina

In 2007, thirteen-year-old aspiring saxophone player Claudia Medina attended the XVII Jazz Festival in her home city of Lima Peru, which featured American saxophone great Cynthia Mullis and the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. As soon as the first note arose from Cynthia’s horn, Claudia knew that her life was never going to be the same. “That’s what I want to do in my life,” she said to herself. After the show, she mustered enough willpower to approach Cynthia and told her how much she adored her performance and asked for her advice on how to be a great musician like her. Cynthia looked at the teenager and said something that completely changed her life: “Keep playing and never give up.” So, Claudia kept blowing that horn and hasn’t stopped since. Now, she is a distinguished Peruvian saxophonist, composer, producer, and educator who has garnered international acclaim for her innovative fusion of Jazz with Afro-Peruvian and Latin American rhythms. Her musical journey, marked by a deep commitment to cultural preservation and education, has positioned her as a prominent figure in contemporary Latin Jazz. Find our more about Claudia's inspiring journey in this episode hosted by Annika Dietiker.