By Rich Monetti****In New York City, impressing a girl on a date requires a good deal of originality, and Myriam Phiro has just the thing. “If you bring a date to this show, you’re going to be a winner in her eyes,” she said of her Edith Piaf tribute—The Solo Sparrow Show— at Joe’s Pub on Sunday, July 14th at 9:30 pm. But romance is pretty easy at the beginning. So how does the spark ignite when the amorous flames don’t burn as bright, and the words of the iconic French chanteuse roll off Phiro’s inspired lips? “Even better,” Phiro assured. “She will thank you and think you’re really trying to bring her to romance.”
As for Phiro, she was smitten long ago. “Edith Piaf is my greatest inspiration in becoming a performer,” said the French Canadian-born singer.” “She really had such an interesting life.” Unlike Piaf, Phiro didn’t have to rise up from literally being born on the street (according to legend). But music and Phiro’s introduction to the piano also provided a lift for the Long Island City resident. “That was a real way for me to express myself,” Phiro said. “I was pretty shy.”
Soon enough, Phiro was singing and began to fully shed her shell by getting involved in theater and dance. “It all became intertwined, and that eventually brought me to New York to study performing arts at the American Music and Dramatic Academy,” she revealed. Ten years later, and after all the odd jobs familiar to NY artists, Phiro has made a self-sustaining performance career for herself. “I do different projects with different ensembles—all mingling around Jazz,” she said. In this capacity, Phiro has sold out concerts at Birdland, the Rainbow Room, Feinstein’s/54 Below, the Iridium Jazz Club, BB King’s and Metropolitan Room in NYC. She’s also left her mark at Montreal’s International Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival and performed with the likes of Harry Connick Jr, Janis Siegel, Nicki Parrott, Marilyn Maye, Frank Vignola and Vince Giordano.
Not bad, but Piaf was obviously in a stratosphere that few could equal, and her tribute will make sure it pays proper deference. In other words, Phiro feels the weight of living up to a legendary performer who was very specific about arrangements, format and the way each song was delivered. “Her music is fairly complex,” said Phiro. Ownership also goes beyond having her name tied to so many songs. “Piaf wrote a lot of her lyrics,” said Phiro. Typically, Piaf would sequester herself in a hotel room with composer Marguerite Monnot and wouldn’t leave until they were joined. “The two formed a symbiosis,” said Phiro.
So on Sunday, July 14th—Bastille Day— favorites such as “La Vie en Rose” will get play, and Joe’s Pub definitely has the setting to deliver. “I’m actually thrilled to be performing there, because it’s one of those rooms that really works for intimate concerts as well as high energy concerts,” said Phiro.
But just because Phiro plans to mix in a few lesser known songs doesn’t mean the air will swoon out of the room. “I’m sure people will benefit from the discovery,” said Phiro. This approach dovetails perfectly with her hope of shedding more light on the life of the chanteuse. “She lived fully in all spheres of her life. So that means with great joys but all great sadness,” said Phiro, who adds the night will be rich with stories.
One such tale involves an early bout with blindness, and the ladies Piaf lived with in her grandmother’s brothel. Very pious despite their profession, they took the three year old on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of St Therese. There, she literally saw the light. “Piaf claimed it cured her, and ever since that moment, she had been wearing a little cross for each performance,” Phiro informed. That glimmer of light grew to one the world never forget, but the darkness eventually came full circle “Her life ends tragically as it began,” said Phiro. Bringing Piaf’s intensity to life is Phiro’s aspiration. As to measuring up, Phiro hopes that channeling Piaf’s passion is enough. Given the success of her sold out Piaf performance at Birdland last May, there should be plenty to listen to and wonder at.
For more information go to https://www.jazzsingernyc.com
Leave a Reply