Sligo Jazz Summer School Faculty Announced

Drums: Paul Wertico (USA)
Drums: Steve “Dakiz" Davis (N Ireland)
Double Bass: Rufus Reid (USA)
Electric bass: Dominique di Piazza (France)
Guitar: Sandro Gibellini (Italy)
Guitar: Mike Nielsen (Ireland)
Saxophone: Jamie Oehlers (Australia)
Trumpet: Paul Williamson (Australia)
Piano: Chris Wiesendanger (Switzerland)
Voice: Norma Winstone (UK)
Jazz Beginners ensemble workshop (& TBC electronic music workshops): Daniel Jacobsen (Ireland)



The faculty this year features one of the world's top drummers, Paul Wertico, who spent two decades in jazz superstar Pat Metheny's group, winning seven Grammies in the process. Alongside Paul is award-winning US bassist and educator, Rufus Reid, who was so enamoured with Sligo and last year's Jazz Project event that he has agreed to come back again to share his knowledge and wisdom. Appearing for the first time at this year's event is one of the UK's most legendary jazz educators and performers, award winning vocalist Norma Winstone, who, in a career spanning four decades, has performed in a with Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland and Steve Swallow amongst others. SJP has also introduced electric bass tuition to this year's project and secured the services of ex-John McLaughlin Trio member, French virtuoso Dominique di Piazza. This year's summer school also features two top Australian jazz players, trumpeter Paul Williamson and winner of the 2003 White Foundation World Saxophone Competition, Jamie Oehlers. Italy's Sandro Gibellini returns to give guitar masterclasses once again along with Sligo's own pride and joy, Mike Nielsen. Steve “Dakiz" Davis takes to the drum kit for the third time in Sligo and Swiss pianist Chris Wiesendanger takes up the piano post. Dublin's Daniel Jacobsen returns to complete the line-up, taking jazz beginners classes - so SJP's summer school will most definitely cater for all levels of jazz musicians. Enrolment starts in early March and prospective participants are advised to book early to secure a place in the summer school.

Sligo Jazz Project has received substantial sponsorship in the form of Arts Council Project funding and has renewed its sponsorship once again with the Clarion Hotel Sligo. “But for the Sligo Clarion we would not be in a position to invite so many great artists to perform and teach here. The Clarion's contribution to this summer school and festival has been most generous this time round", said Eddie Lee, SJP coordinator.

SJP is also renewing its successful patronage scheme for 2007. Local businesses and individuals are invited to contribute a yearly donation of 300. For this they will get free concert tickets to all events, invitations to special events and be listed in all publicity material. “This summer school is unique in Ireland" explains Eddie Lee. “Never before has a gathering of such jazz luminaries been put together to educate and inspire the popular music community anywhere in this country. Plus we will get to hear them all perform during what should be a phenomenal week of concerts." Plans are afoot too to grow the festival into an internationally renowned jazz festival. “We are continuously involved in fundraising and appeal to all businesses, big and small, to help us out, as a top quality jazz festival of this kind will help raise Sligo's profile", says Eddie. “The education aspect is most important to us, of course, but we are also planning a world class feast of concerts from the performing tutors as well as at least two top international guest acts".

Sligo Jazz Project is a volunteer-run music education organisation set up in 2005 to promote jazz education in the north west of Ireland. In 2006 SJP promoted Sligo's first Jazz and World Music Festival and Summer School, a successful concert and workshop tour by Italian guitarist Sandro Gibellini plus several other events in Sligo and Leitrim throughout the year.