To mark the 45th anniversary of the New Morning, Macha Gharibian delivered an incandescent concert, blending jazz, heritage music and tribal rhythms into a burst of life shared with her devoted audience.
On April 14, the legendary venue seemed to close in around Macha Gharibian. A phenomenal pianist, singer and composer, she celebrates women, their strength and their multiplicity, with a stunning voice that moves through Armenian, French, English, Arabic and Portuguese.
At the end of the first set, stage director Simon Abkarian, a longtime companion on the road, came onstage to present her with the insignia of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. Time seemed to stand still: two artists shaped by the same memory looked at one another, moved, receiving the honor from the man who helped set her vocation in motion.
“I loved that it was him who gave me the medal, because he was truly the first person to offer me a creative platform in music. He was the first to trust me, to call me, to come and find me. It was the first time I found myself on a stage with actors, writing music, improvising things. Those were really the beginnings of my music, which I dared to show. Simon both opened a door and gave me the confidence to walk through it.”
In the second set, Macha sat at the piano, medal on her chest, radiant. With Phenomenal Women, she tuned her music to a plural feminine, surrounded by her two backing vocalists, Swiss singer Lea Maria Fries and Swedish singer Linda Oláh, both exceptional voices, as well as drummer Fabrice Moreau and bassist Kenny Ruby. Together, they form a quintet in perfect harmony, exalting women’s sensitivity and sensuality, sorority and feminine power.
“I feel multiple. In this album, I celebrate that power. We are finally beginning to be given a place. It is time to offer something other than testosterone-driven macho jazz. If there is performance, it lies on the side of authenticity and being true to oneself.”
Phenomenal Women, her new album and concert, takes its title from “Phenomenal Woman”, the poem by Maya Angelou, the African-American poet, artist and activist, and confirms the breadth of her talent. Her jazz, carrying rembetiko, Eastern influences, pop and shamanic rhythms, draws the room into a kind of gentle trance.
After a run of tours and concerts, Macha decided to take a few months off before returning to the stage in October. For 2017, her plan is to chart a more intimate path as a duo with accordionist Lionel Suarez for more intimate concerts. One chapter closes, but the adventure continues for this phenomenal woman.
Jean-Claude Djian
- Oct. 17, 2026: Brioude, Festival Femmes du Monde.
- Oct. 21, 2026: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Festival 1000 Jazz.
- Nov. 28, 2026: Fareins, Jazz à Fareins.
- Dec. 18, 2026: Alfortville, Le Poc.
Last album : Phenomenal Women (2025) — Inspired by Maya Angelou, a vibrant tribute to the multiplicity of women’s voices.
Félix Magazine 
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