Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, born in Nigeria and raised in Oakland, was named the winner of this year's Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition Sunday at a tribute concert honoring Herbie Hancock.
Akinmusire studied with Steve Coleman at the Manhattan School of Music and in 2001 began touring and recording with him. He has also toured with Hancock and Wayne Shorter throughout Vietnam and India, and performed and recorded with the late Joe Henderson, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman and the San Francisco Jazz Collective.
Regarded as the most prestigious jazz competition in the world, judges were the trumpeters Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert, Terence Blanchard, Hugh Masekela, Clark Terry and Roy Hargrove.
Akinmusire receives a $20,000 scholarship. Second place winner Jean Caze received a $10,000 scholarship and third place winner Michael Rodriguez received a $5,000 scholarship.