Herbie Hancock's Jazz Competition Went to Paris for the First Time Ever and Malou Oheix Won $50,000

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz has run its International Jazz Vocals Competition for 39 years, and until this month it had never once been held outside the United States. That streak ended in style: the finals took over the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on Oct. 10-11, with Jeremy Irons hosting and over 200 applicants narrowed down to a handful of finalists. Malou Oheix came out on top, earning first place and a $50,000 scholarship. Georgia Heers took second and $25,000, and Lucy-Anne Daniels finished third with $10,000. More than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes was handed out across the event.

The weekend wasn’t just about the competition. Arturo Sandoval received the Maria Fisher Founder’s Award, the late architect Frank Gehry was saluted, and an All-Star Gala Concert featured performances from Herbie Hancock himself alongside Ambrose Akinmusire and other artists. The timing landed perfectly too, since 2026 marks the centennial celebrations for both Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two names that hover over basically everything in jazz.

As for the future of the genre that Hancock has spent his life championing? He told Billboard it’s“very safe,”adding that the young vocalists on display can scat better than he can. Coming from the man himself, that’s about the highest praise possible. So who’s the young artist you think is carrying jazz into the next decade? Let us know in the comments.