An important member of NYC’s creative music scene, Maria performs extensively in projects led by or with musicians such as Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, Mary Halvorson, Jen Shyu, Aaron Parks & Joel Ross.

María writes and performs her original compositions with her ensemble, DiaTribe; and her recordings were praised by major publications such as the New York Times, Downbeat, JazzTimes, Billboard, JazzIz, and others.

She is a recipient of the 2017 Jazz Gallery Residency Commission, the 2018 Roulette Jerome Foundation Commission & the 2019 Roulette Residency.

Maria was voted Best New Artist for the 2018 Extended Jazz Times Critics Poll and also nominated for the Jazz Journalist’s Association Up-And-Coming Musician of the Year 2018 and named the 2018 Newcomer Musician for the El Intruso 11th Annual International Critics Poll.

As an activist in the performing arts, she is a founding member of anti-discrimination group, the We Have Voice Collective.

María performs regularly with her own ensemble; she is also a member of Joel Ross’ Parables, has toured with Antoine Roney, as well as with RAJAS, led by Carnatic musician Rajna Swaminathan, and joined Mary Halvorson’s Code Girl in 2019.

NY TIMES:
“An engrossing young tenor saxophonist with a zesty attack and a solid tonal range.”

VIJAY IYER:
“A fantastic young saxophonist, virtuosic, conceptually daring, with a lush tone, a powerful vision, and a deepening emotional resonance.”