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Malou Oheix Wins the Hancock Prize

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Who is our next breakout jazz singer? Chances are, they were in Paris this month for the Herbie Hancock International Jazz Vocals Competition. Nate was there too, and now he brings us a field report — including his backstage interview with Malou Oheix, the 27-year-old French vocalist who won first prize, and a few insights from the distinguished judges. This is also a moment to discuss the nature of the competition, how it reflects on the art form, and what it can really do for an artist with an emerging career.

Nate Chinen has been writing about music for more than 25 years. He spent a dozen of them working as a critic for The New York Times, and helmed a long-running column for JazzTimes. As Editorial Director at WRTI, he oversees a range of classical and jazz coverage, and contributes regularly to NPR.
Josh Jackson is the associate general manager for programming and content at WRTI.