Malou Oheix is the winner of the 2026 Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition, held this past weekend in Paris, France. The competition was presented in partnership and with the support of Fondation Louis Vuitton.
The vocalist from Nantes, France stunned the judges with a vulnerable performance of “I’m Glad There Is You” and a playful interpretation of Michael Brecker’s “Madame Toulouse.” She was one of three finalists which included second-place winner Georgia Heers and third-place winner Lucy-Anne Daniels, selected by an all-star jury comprising Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roberta Gambarini, Angélique Kidjo, Gretchen Parlato and Gregory Porter.
Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the Competition Finals & Gala transformed the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton into an international celebration of jazz, bringing together generations of leading artists and celebrating the music’s deep and enduring relationship with Paris. This was the first time in the Competition’s nearly forty year history that it was held outside of the United States.
The evening also honoured 10-time GRAMMY Award winner Arturo Sandoval with the Institute’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award, presented by Herbie Hancock in recognition of Sandoval’s extraordinary artistry and contributions to jazz and music education. A tribute performance of Sandoval’s “Caprichosos de La Habana,” was performed by an all-star ensemble featuring John Beasley, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nils Landgren, John Patitucci and Walter Smith III.