Watch the Competition Finals & Gala Concert
2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition
Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition Took Place October 10–11, 2026 in Paris in Partnership with the Fondation Louis Vuitton
The 2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition took place October 10–11 at the iconic Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France, marking the first time in the Competition’s nearly four-decade history that it was held outside the United States.
Presented in partnership and with the support of Fondation Louis Vuitton, the landmark edition brought together exceptional young vocalists from around the world, culminating in the Competition Finals and an extraordinary All-Star Gala Concert hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons.
Malou Oheix, 27, of Nantes, France, was awarded First Place, receiving the $50,000 scholarship presented by Fondation Louis Vuitton. Georgia Heers of Greenville, South Carolina, earned Second Place and a $25,000 scholarship, while Lucy-Anne Daniels of Leeds, United Kingdom, received Third Place and a $10,000 scholarship.
The Competition
Widely recognized as the world’s most prestigious jazz competition, the Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition has played a pivotal role since its founding in 1987 in identifying and elevating the next generation of jazz artists.
The 2026 edition featured the most internationally diverse group of semifinalists in the Competition’s history. Eleven outstanding young vocalists, selected from hundreds of applicants worldwide, competed before a distinguished jury comprising Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roberta Gambarini, Angélique Kidjo, Gretchen Parlato, and Gregory Porter.
The Semifinals took place on Saturday, October 10, followed by the Finals on Sunday, October 11, in the Fondation Louis Vuitton Auditorium. Throughout the Competition, the vocalists were accompanied by an exceptional rhythm section featuring Carmen Staaf on piano, Ben Williams on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums.
An Extraordinary All-Star Gala
The Competition culminated in a spectacular Gala Concert celebrating jazz’s enduring relationship with Paris and bringing together generations of internationally acclaimed artists.
Hosted by Jeremy Irons, the evening featured performances by Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gregory Porter, Arturo Sandoval, Danilo Pérez, Monty Alexander, Ambrose Akinmusire, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nils Landgren, John Patitucci, Tineke Postma, Walter Smith III, and other distinguished musicians, under the musical direction of John Beasley.
The Gala honored legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval with the Institute’s prestigious Maria Fisher Founder’s Award, presented by Herbie Hancock in recognition of Sandoval’s extraordinary contributions to jazz and music education.
In a particularly moving moment, special guest Gustavo Dudamel introduced a tribute to visionary architect Frank Gehry, the designer of Fondation Louis Vuitton and a longtime member of the Institute’s Board of Trustees. The tribute featured the world premiere of The Ever-Changing World, a composition by acclaimed pianist Danilo Pérez, commissioned by the Institute in Gehry’s honor.
A Legacy of Discovering Jazz’s Next Generation
For nearly four decades, the Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition has served as a vital bridge between emerging talent and the future of jazz.
Past winners of the vocal Competition who have gone on to become leading voices in jazz include Jazzmeia Horn, Jane Monheit, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gretchen Parlato, and Veronica Swift.
The Competition has also helped launch the careers of many distinguished instrumentalists, including saxophonists Joshua Redman and Melissa Aldana; pianist, composer, and Academy Award winner Kris Bowers; bassist Ben Williams; and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.
Beyond recognizing exceptional talent, the Competition provides young musicians with invaluable international exposure, professional opportunities, and financial support for their continued artistic development.
2026 Competition Results
First Place — Malou Oheix (France)
$50,000 Scholarship
Presented by Fondation Louis Vuitton
Second Place — Georgia Heers (United States)
$25,000 Scholarship
Third Place — Lucy-Anne Daniels (United Kingdom)
$10,000 Scholarship
Competition Inquiries
Leonard Brown
lebrown@hancockinstitute.org
+1 (202) 364-7272
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