Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

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.

Malou Oheix, from Nantes, France, took top honors at the prestigious Herbie Hancock International Jazz Vocals Competition, held in Paris at the Fondation Luis Vuitton. In some ways a surprise, her win was also validation for certain core values in the art of jazz singing.

Eleven young jazz vocalists from around the globe will compete this weekend in the 2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Watch a livestream of the semifinals on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. WRTI will also carry a feed of the Competition finals and gala concert, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Nearly a dozen gifted young singers have been announced as semifinalists in the 2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition, to be held next month in Paris.

Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling served as co-hosts of the 2026 International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert at Lyric Opera of Chicago, proudly putting their city at the center of the frame.

For the first time in five years, International Jazz Day will focus its lavish attention on a global host city: Tangier, which Randy Weston once described as "the northern gateway to Africa."

What does it mean to pick a winner in jazz? We're considering that question in this episode of The Late Set — with an assist from Joshua Redman, whose career got off to a big start when he won the Thelonious Monk Jazz Saxophone Competition precisely 30 years ago.

A 24-year-old piano prodigy, Jahari Stampley, has won one of the most prestigious awards in jazz. The competition held by the Herbie Hancock Institute is widely seen as anointing new stars.

Jahari Stampley, a dazzling young pianist from Chicago, took first prize at the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, prevailing over a field of 10 other competitors.

Philly's own Joe Block and Jordan Isaiah Williams are among the young players who will compete in the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, on Oct. 14 and 15.