Grammy-Nominated Jazz Star Ibrahim Maalouf Makes Armenia Debut at Golden Apricot Festival

Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer and pianist Ibrahim Maalouf gave his first-ever performance in Armenia on Wednesday night, taking the stage in Yerevan during the 23rd Golden Apricot International Film Festival.

The concert, held at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, was one of the festival’s headline cultural events. Organized by the Armenian Jazz Association in partnership with Golden Apricot, the evening introduced Armenian audiences to one of the world’s most acclaimed contemporary jazz musicians.

Born in Lebanon and raised in France, Maalouf has earned international recognition for blending jazz with classical, Middle Eastern and modern influences. Known for playing a four-valve trumpet, he has collaborated with artists including Sting, Quincy Jones and Jon Batiste and has received multiple Grammy nominations.

His role at this year’s festival extended beyond the concert stage. Maalouf also served on the Regional Competition jury, joining filmmakers and artists from around the world at one of the Caucasus region’s leading international film festivals.

Before his performance, Maalouf visited the Komitas Museum-Institute, where he reflected on the enduring legacy of Armenian composer and ethnomusicologist Komitas. Speaking to Azatutyun, he said the visit deeply moved him and described Komitas as an artist whose work continues to speak across generations and borders.

“I want to be a witness of my century,” Maalouf said, explaining that artists have a responsibility to preserve memory through their work instead of turning away from history.

He also praised Komitas for preserving Armenian folk music, saying his life’s work proved that culture can survive even the darkest periods of history. Learning about the Armenian composer, Maalouf said, reinforced his belief that music is not only an art form but also a powerful way to protect a people’s identity and historical memory.

Festival audiences first saw Maalouf during Sunday’s opening ceremony, when he performed a live improvisation honoring the 100th anniversary of Namus, widely recognized as Armenia’s first silent feature film. The performance linked the country’s cinematic heritage with one of contemporary jazz’s most innovative performers.

The 23rd Golden Apricot International Film Festival runs through July 19 and features about 90 films from 40 countries. Nearly 200 international guests have traveled to Yerevan for the festival, underscoring Armenia’s growing profile as a destination for global cinema and cultural exchange.

Maalouf’s Armenian debut became one of the defining moments of this year’s festival, bringing together music, film and history while offering local audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the most influential jazz artists performing today.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.