Sligo Jazz Project

Sligo Jazz Project: A Biography & History Founding & Mission (2005) The Sligo Jazz Project (SJP) was founded in 2005 by four Sligo-based musicians who recognised a significant gap in music education in the Northwest of Ireland, particularly in jazz. Their bold vision was to bring world‑class musicians to Sligo not only to perform, but to teach — planting the foundations for a thriving local jazz ecosystem and an internationally recognised centre for jazz education. Growth & Leadership Under the dedicated leadership of renowned Sligo musician Eddie Lee, SJP has flourished over two decades. What began as a grassroots initiative has evolved into an internationally celebrated institution. Its annual International Summer School and Festival has grown into Europe’s biggest and most inclusive jazz education event. A Unique Model: Summer School & Festival SJP’s strength lies in its fusion of intensive education with an outward‑facing festival, creating an immersive cultural experience for participants and the wider community. • World‑Class Faculty & Rare Collaborations: SJP brings jazz legends to Sligo to teach and create one‑off concert events with leading Irish and international musicians. Past faculty include Rufus Reid, Ernie Watts, the late John Taylor, and Norma Winstone. Performances curated at SJP are unique, never‑to‑be‑repeated musical moments. • Deep Community Immersion: The festival extends beyond the concert hall, with twice‑daily jam sessions open to the public and free‑admission afternoon concerts featuring faculty across local venues — bringing world‑class jazz directly into Sligo’s community spaces. • Inclusivity & Sustainability: With a no‑audition policy, SJP welcomes musicians at all stages. Many participants arrive as beginners and leave inspired, with their musical journeys transformed. Alumni like Nils Kavanagh — BBC Young Jazz Musician finalist 2024 and SJP’s inaugural Young Artist in Residence — exemplify SJP’s nurturing impact. Other notable alumni include Matthew Halpin, now Professor of Saxophone at the Vienna Conservatoire; Conor and Micheál Murray; and Joseph Leighton of Ronnie Scott’s acclaim. Many return as faculty, sustaining a powerful intergenerational mentorship cycle. • The “SJP Atmosphere”: A hallmark of SJP is its warm, encouraging energy. With 150 dedicated participants filling the Hawks Well Theatre each night, the festival fosters an electricity of shared inspiration that grows throughout the week. A Landmark 20th Anniversary (2025) SJP celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 with its largest faculty yet — 33 world‑class musicians — and its most ambitious programme to date. • Guest of Honour: Rufus Reid — the legendary bassist whose early involvement helped place SJP on the global jazz map. • Artist in Residence: Melissa Aldana — Grammy‑nominated Chilean saxophonist and leading global jazz voice. • Young Artist in Residence: Matthew Halpin — Vienna‑based Irish saxophonist and international jazz innovator. The 2025 lineup featured US vibist Sasha Berliner, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, and many of Europe’s leading jazz voices, further cementing SJP’s position as a global hub for jazz learning, innovation, and performance. 2025 Achievement: Global Jazz Recognition In 2025, SJP was honoured with the prestigious Jazz Forward Award for Global Jazz Innovators by the world’s largest jazz platform, All About Jazz — recognising its pioneering role in shaping the future of jazz and its international impact on education, creativity, and community‑centred arts development. Sligo Jazz All Year Round Sligo Jazz Project's commitment extends year-round through a curated programme of educational and performance events. In 2025, this includes a Spring concert series and a Creative Ireland-funded winter series, where workshops from visiting artists culminate in inclusive jam sessions for local musicians of all ages, ensuring a vibrant, continuous jazz scene in Sligo. SJP Today Today, the Sligo Jazz Project stands as a transformative force in Irish culture. It blends access, excellence, and community, nurturing emerging artists while welcoming global icons. Its influence ripples across Ireland, Europe, and the wider jazz world — a testament to its mission, vision, and enduring legacy.