Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Unveils 2026 International Jazz Vocals Competition

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz has announced the 2026 International Jazz Vocals Competition, marking its first venture outside the U.S., to be held in Paris in collaboration with Fondation Louis Vuitton. Known for its role in discovering new jazz talent, the competition will gather young vocalists worldwide, offering over $100,000 in prizes. The first-place award of $50,000 will be presented by the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Scheduled for October 10-11, the event will feature semifinals and a gala concert at the Fondation's Auditorium, with a renowned jury led by Dee Dee Bridgewater. Past winners such as Cécile McLorin Salvant have set benchmarks in jazz. The Fondation Louis Vuitton, a cultural beacon in Paris, will host the event in its Gehry-designed venue.

The competition aims to bridge emerging talent with jazz's future and will be globally streamed via Medici.tv and YouTube. Applications close on July 15, 2026. Visit hancockinstitute.org for details.