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 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 creating an internationally recognised centre for jazz education. Under the 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 with 30 artist educators and at least summer school 140 participants each year. The model is simple: The artists come for the duration of the summer school, and teach a workshop/masterclass/ensemble programme each day and perform at various concert events on the concurrent festival. The faculty is, in effect, the 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. With twice daily jam sessions featuring participants and faculty members, free afternoon concert events each day and a full festival programme each night, SJP serves the musician community as well as the tourist and local communities.