Malou Oheix Wins 2026 Herbie Hancock Jazz Competition in Paris

Oheix secured the $50,000 first-place scholarship after impressing a jury of industry veterans, including Dee Dee Bridgewater and Gregory Porter. Her winning set featured a vulnerable take on "I'm Glad There Is You" and a spirited interpretation of Michael Brecker’s "Madame Toulouse." The competition’s podium was rounded out by Georgia Heers in second place and Lucy-Anne Daniels in third.

Hosted by Jeremy Irons, the event served as more than a vocal showcase, evolving into a tribute to jazz history and architectural legacy. The gala honored 10-time GRAMMY winner Arturo Sandoval with the Maria Fisher Founder's Award, while Gustavo Dudamel led a poignant commemoration of the late architect Frank Gehry. The evening concluded with a world premiere of Danilo Pérez’s "The Ever-Changing World," commissioned specifically for the occasion, and an all-star ensemble performance that bridged the musical heritage of Paris with the enduring influence of legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.