Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz & Fondation Louis Vuitton Team for 2026 Vocal Competition: The Future of Jazz ‘Is Very Safe’
Categoria: Musica
Malou Oheix wins first place, icon Arturo Sandoval also honored at event hosted by actor Jeremy Irons.
Por Billboard | 14/10/2026
When the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz — in partnership and with the support of Fondation Louis Vuitton — announced the winners of its International Jazz Vocals Competition in Paris, the event (which took place on Oct. 11) not only further underscored the genre’s enduring legacy. It also provided additional insight into its growing popularity among next-gen vocalists across the globe in a revitalizing climate that includes young, award-winning visionaries such as Samara Joy and the Ezra Collective . As Hancock declared to Billboard after the ceremony when asked about the future of jazz: “It’s very safe. Don’t worry about it.” Related Berklee College of Music Presents Inaugural Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole Scholarship Hilary Duff to Receive Outstanding Pop Tour of the Year Award at 2026 Billboard Live Music Summit Judge Rules Woman Accused of Shooting at Rihanna & A$AP Rocky's Home Mentally Fit to Stand Trial Malou Oheix won the first place $50,000 scholarship award for her two-song set featuring the Jimmy Dorsey classic “I’m Glad There Is You” and an innovative scat-filled reinterpretation of Michael Brecker’s “Madame Toulouse.” Also performing before the packed audience inside the Fondation Louis Vuitton auditorium were fellow finalists Georgia Heers and Lucy-Anne Daniels. Heers was presented with the second place $25,000 scholarship for her stirring performance of Patty Waters’ “Moon, Don’t Come Up Tonight” and the Rodgers & Hart jazz standard “Thou Swell.” Drawing rapt attention for a riveting Afro-Cuban take on “Nature Boy,” first made famous by Nat King Cole, followed by a contemporary spin on the gem “Old Devil Moon,” Daniels claimed the $10,000 third-place scholarship. These scholarships assist in paying tuition for college-level jazz education studies and provide funds for private, specialized instruction. More than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes was awarded by the Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute and Fondation Louis Vuitton. The latter is headed by president Bernard Arnault with advisor to the president and administrator Jean-Paul Claverie. Coinciding with the 2026 centennial celebrations honoring jazz icons Miles Davis and John Coltrane, this year’s weekend event (Oct. 10-11) marked the first time the institute brought its 39-year-old international competition outside the U.S. to Paris, one of the genre’s most important cultural centers. Prior vocal and musician winners include Jazzmeia Horn, Cecile McLorin Salvant, pianist Kris Bowers, bassist Ben Williams and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the finals competition and gala concert — livestreamed worldwide — also honored renowned jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval with the Maria Fisher Founder’s Award. Rounding out the evening was the institute’s traditional All-Star Gala Concert showcasing star musicians such as Akinmusire, Monty Alexander, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Patitucci and Hancock with John Beasley se