The Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition will spotlight jazz vocals in 2026 and, for the first time in its history, will take place outside of the United States—in Paris, France, in partnership with the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Widely recognized as the world’s most prestigious jazz competition, the International Competition has played a pivotal role for nearly four decades in identifying and elevating the next generation of jazz artists. The 2026 edition will bring together exceptional young vocalists from around the world to compete on an international stage.

Open to musicians age 30 and under, the Competition will award more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a $50,000 first-place award presented by the Fondation Louis Vuitton, as well as $25,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place.

The Competition weekend, taking place in the Auditorium of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, will include a Semifinals round on Saturday, October 10, followed by the Competition Finals and an All-Star Gala Concert on the evening of Sunday, October 11. The distinguished jury will be led by acclaimed jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, joined by an all-star panel of internationally celebrated artists.

Past winners of the Competition on vocals who have gone on to become leading voices in jazz include Jazzmeia Horn, Jane Monheit, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gretchen Parlato, and Veronica Swift—artists who continue to shape the global jazz landscape.

For nearly four decades, the International Competition has discovered extraordinary artists, serving as a vital bridge between emerging talent and the future of jazz. In addition to the vocalists noted above, the Competition has helped launch the careers of many distinguished artists, including saxophonists Joshua Redman and Melissa Aldana; pianist, composer, and Academy Award winner Kris Bowers; bassist Ben Williams; and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.

The Competition will be streamed globally on medici.tv, FLV Play, and YouTube, allowing audiences around the world to experience the performances and discover the next generation of jazz artists.

In addition to the Competition performances, the program will include special masterclasses at the Fondation, offering jazz education opportunities for local organizations and students. Further details, including judges and ticketing information, will be announced at a later date.

The application for the 2026 International Vocals Competition can be found here. All materials must be received no later than Wednesday, July 15, 2026. 

All applicants to the 2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Vocals Competition are required to submit a fee of US $50 with their application. Application fees may be submitted via this secure form using a credit card. Please submit any questions to Leonard Brown at lebrown@hancockinstitute.org or by phone at +1 (202) 364-7272.

Prizes and scholarships will be awarded as follows:

First Place – $50,000
Second Place – $25,000
Third Place – $10,000

Fifty percent of each prize will be paid directly to the winner. The remaining funds will be applied toward the winner’s future musical education.

Press Inquiries: Alisse Kingsley 
akingsley@hancockinstitute.org
323.467.8508