When conversations turn to the resurgence of zarzuela in Colombia, the name that invariably leads the discussion is Lina Sarmiento. Recognized as the foremost zarzuela and jazz crossover vocalist of the new generation, Sarmiento’s impact is the result of formidable talent paired with an unyielding drive to reinvent tradition.
When conversations turn to the resurgence of zarzuela in Colombia, the name that invariably leads the discussion is Lina Sarmiento. Recognized as the foremost zarzuela and jazz crossover vocalist of the new generation, Sarmiento’s impact is the result of formidable talent paired with an unyielding drive to reinvent tradition. As Ramondo Clere reports, at just 27, her leadership has transformed zarzuela from a nostalgic relic into a living, ever-expanding language of expression—captivating listeners from Medellín to Massachusetts.
Lina Sarmiento’s ascent is inseparable from her pivotal tenure at Fundación Prolírica de Antioquia, recognized as Colombia’s most distinguished institution for the promotion of opera and zarzuela. With more than 35 years of acclaimed productions—many praised for their dazzling stagecraft and celebrated by Medellín’s cultural authorities—Fundación Prolírica has turned historic theaters like Teatro Metropolitano and Pablo Tobón Uribe into vibrant crossroads for music lovers. The organization’s productions are regularly covered by the national press, and its shelves are lined with awards for cultural excellence. Its alumni list reads like a who’s-who of Latin American vocal artistry. Sarmiento emerged as a central figure during three transformative seasons—principal artist, imaginative arranger, and a featured soloist whose performances in La leyenda del beso and La Corte del Faraón packed the house and drew critical praise. One local headline declared her performance “a lightning bolt through tradition,” capturing how she drew young, curious crowds into previously staid concert halls. Veteran artistic directors credit Sarmiento for redefining the institution’s sound, blending jazz harmonies, Colombian rhythms, and daring improvisations to give zarzuela a new voice in the heart of Colombian society.
Beyond Colombia, Sarmiento’s momentum has carried her onto famed international stages. At the storied Boston Early Music Festival——widely regarded as one of the world’s premier celebrations of historically informed performance—she performed for an audience that included some of the world’s leading early and classical musicians, earning standing ovations and invitations for future collaborations. The path ahead is equally electrifying: in 2025, Sarmiento will step onto the legendary stage at Carnegie Hall for the “Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls" world tour, joining a roster of elite global performers—a testament to her status as a bridge between continents and musical traditions.
Looking to the future, Sarmiento is set to embark on two of the most high-impact artistic residencies in the United States, in collaboration with celebrated Panamanian artist and Berklee College of Music professor Gaby Cotter—herself renowned for appearances with Andrea Bocelli and Cassandra Wilson. Together, they will headline three-year residencies at Wally’s Jazz Cafe and The Beehive, two venues that stand as pillars in Boston’s cultural landscape.
Step into Wally’s Jazz Cafe and you enter an institution where jazz giants’ portraits line the walls and the spirit of live improvisation lingers into the early morning hours. With more than eight decades of history, Wally’s stands as not only one of America’s oldest jazz clubs but also an essential proving ground for legends such as Roy Hargrove, Esperanza Spalding, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Sarmiento’s upcoming residency—where she will serve as both lead singer and arranger—signals a new chapter for Wally’s, introducing the colors and cadences of Colombian musical storytelling. Audiences can expect new works that thread zarzuela’s drama with the club’s boundary-pushing ethos, marking the first time that this classic Colombian art form will be woven into Wally’s legendary lineage.
Across town, The Beehive buzzes with experimentation, regularly earning national accolades and serving as home base for musicians like Grace Kelly and Jason Palmer. Honored by Downbeat Magazine and spotlighted by The New York Times, The Beehive thrives on genre-defying collaborations. Here, Sarmiento and Cotter are set to cultivate a sonic atmosphere where Spanish lyricism meets Boston jazz improvisation, making Sarmiento’s zarzuela fusion part of the venue’s “house sound” for years to come.
These residencies are more than performances—they are, in fact, blueprints for transformation. Sarmiento’s leadership in stagecraft and repertoire, coupled with Cotter’s global vision, will push both venues into new artistic territory, turning them into epicenters for Latin American vocal innovation within the jazz tradition. For Wally’s and The Beehive, the promise is nothing short of a musical renaissance: over the next three years, these stages will foster dynamic new repertoire, nurture diverse emerging talent, and attract audiences eager for something boldly original.
As Sarmiento brings her visionary artistry and fearless energy to these historic Boston institutions, her influence is shaping not just the sound of a city, but the future of global music—one electrifying collaboration at a time.
Lina Sarmiento’s ascent is inseparable from her pivotal tenure at Fundación Prolírica de Antioquia, recognized as Colombia’s most distinguished institution for the promotion of opera and zarzuela. With more than 35 years of acclaimed productions—many praised for their dazzling stagecraft and celebrated by Medellín’s cultural authorities—Fundación Prolírica has turned historic theaters like Teatro Metropolitano and Pablo Tobón Uribe into vibrant crossroads for music lovers. The organization’s productions are regularly covered by the national press, and its shelves are lined with awards for cultural excellence. Its alumni list reads like a who’s-who of Latin American vocal artistry. Sarmiento emerged as a central figure during three transformative seasons—principal artist, imaginative arranger, and a featured soloist whose performances in La leyenda del beso and La Corte del Faraón packed the house and drew critical praise. One local headline declared her performance “a lightning bolt through tradition,” capturing how she drew young, curious crowds into previously staid concert halls. Veteran artistic directors credit Sarmiento for redefining the institution’s sound, blending jazz harmonies, Colombian rhythms, and daring improvisations to give zarzuela a new voice in the heart of Colombian society.
Beyond Colombia, Sarmiento’s momentum has carried her onto famed international stages. At the storied Boston Early Music Festival——widely regarded as one of the world’s premier celebrations of historically informed performance—she performed for an audience that included some of the world’s leading early and classical musicians, earning standing ovations and invitations for future collaborations. The path ahead is equally electrifying: in 2025, Sarmiento will step onto the legendary stage at Carnegie Hall for the “Attack on Titan: Beyond the Walls" world tour, joining a roster of elite global performers—a testament to her status as a bridge between continents and musical traditions.
Looking to the future, Sarmiento is set to embark on two of the most high-impact artistic residencies in the United States, in collaboration with celebrated Panamanian artist and Berklee College of Music professor Gaby Cotter—herself renowned for appearances with Andrea Bocelli and Cassandra Wilson. Together, they will headline three-year residencies at Wally’s Jazz Cafe and The Beehive, two venues that stand as pillars in Boston’s cultural landscape.
Step into Wally’s Jazz Cafe and you enter an institution where jazz giants’ portraits line the walls and the spirit of live improvisation lingers into the early morning hours. With more than eight decades of history, Wally’s stands as not only one of America’s oldest jazz clubs but also an essential proving ground for legends such as Roy Hargrove, Esperanza Spalding, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Sarmiento’s upcoming residency—where she will serve as both lead singer and arranger—signals a new chapter for Wally’s, introducing the colors and cadences of Colombian musical storytelling. Audiences can expect new works that thread zarzuela’s drama with the club’s boundary-pushing ethos, marking the first time that this classic Colombian art form will be woven into Wally’s legendary lineage.
Across town, The Beehive buzzes with experimentation, regularly earning national accolades and serving as home base for musicians like Grace Kelly and Jason Palmer. Honored by Downbeat Magazine and spotlighted by The New York Times, The Beehive thrives on genre-defying collaborations. Here, Sarmiento and Cotter are set to cultivate a sonic atmosphere where Spanish lyricism meets Boston jazz improvisation, making Sarmiento’s zarzuela fusion part of the venue’s “house sound” for years to come.
These residencies are more than performances—they are, in fact, blueprints for transformation. Sarmiento’s leadership in stagecraft and repertoire, coupled with Cotter’s global vision, will push both venues into new artistic territory, turning them into epicenters for Latin American vocal innovation within the jazz tradition. For Wally’s and The Beehive, the promise is nothing short of a musical renaissance: over the next three years, these stages will foster dynamic new repertoire, nurture diverse emerging talent, and attract audiences eager for something boldly original.
As Sarmiento brings her visionary artistry and fearless energy to these historic Boston institutions, her influence is shaping not just the sound of a city, but the future of global music—one electrifying collaboration at a time.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
