Discover the next generation of jazz superstars.
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz brings its prestigious international competition to PAC NYC. Each year this highly anticipated event focuses on a different instrument. The 2023 competition gathers extraordinarily talented jazz pianists from around the world for a round of Semi-Finals on Saturday, Oct 14 (1pm – 5:30pm), that will be free to the public. Seating will be general admission and audience members are welcome to come and go at their leisure throughout the competition.
The Finals concert on Sunday, Oct 15 (starting at 6pm), will feature an all-star panel of judges including Jon Batiste, Bill Charlap, Herbie Hancock, Hiromi and Danilo Pérez. An extraordinary group of musicians including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ambrose Akinmusire, John Beasley, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Lovano, Anat Cohen, Somi, Helen Sung and many more will pay tribute to the evening’s honorees, Frank Gehry and Dianne Reeves. Past competitions have launched the careers of Melissa Aldana, Kris Bowers, Marquis Hill, Tigran Hamasyan, Jazzmeia Horn, Jon Irabagon, Jane Monheit, Gretchen Parlato, Joshua Redman, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Ben Williams, to name a few.
Photo of Herbie Hancock by Steve Mundinger.
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Competition has a history of launching the careers of some of the most talented and innovative jazz musicians in the world.
—NPR Music
Herbie Hancock is today’s greatest living jazz artist.
—Washington Post