Sligo Jazz Project, one of Europe’s most inclusive and beloved jazz gatherings, celebrates its 20th birthday this summer with its biggest line-up to date. From 22–27 July 2025, the picturesque town on Ireland’s northwest coast transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity, learning and world-class performance.

Founded in 2005 with a mission to make top-level jazz education and performance accessible to all, Sligo Jazz Project has grown into an international phenomenon. At the heart of the event is its six-day summer school, welcoming participants of all ages and levels to learn from an extraordinary faculty of 33 musicians from across the globe. Mornings begin with workshops and masterclasses at ATU Sligo; evenings explode into jam sessions and headline concerts across the town.

A Milestone Line-Up

To mark its 20th year, SJP welcomes an impressive cast of international talent:

  • Guest of Honour: Rufus Reid – The revered American bassist, now 84, returns to Sligo in recognition of his early support for the project. His concert on Friday 25 July at the Hawk’s Well Theatre will feature intimate small groups and a rousing finale with the SJP Little Big Band.
  • Artist in Residence: Melissa Aldana – The Blue Note recording artist and Thelonious Monk Competition winner brings her quartet to the Hawk’s Well on Thursday 24 July, alongside surprise guest faculty.
  • Young Artist in Residence: Matthew Halpin – Once a teenage participant, now a Vienna-based saxophonist and educator, Halpin returns to lead a special concert on Tuesday 22 July with an all-star cast.

Other highlights include US vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, pianist Pablo Held, flautist Gareth Lockrane, drummer Sun-Mi Hong, and genre-defying multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi. The Irish scene is equally well represented by Michael Buckley, Joseph Leighton, Scott Flanigan, and more.

The vocal faculty—including Emilia Mårtensson, Brigitte Beraha, and Veronika Morscher—will close the week with a stunning collaborative concert titled Voices of SJP 2025.

Beyond the Stage

With an estimated €500,000 annual contribution to the local economy, SJP is as much a cultural event as it is a musical one. Free fringe performances, food trails, and pub sessions fill the town with life throughout the week. The community-driven ethos is perhaps best captured in the daily jam sessions, where international artists and first-time participants share the bandstand until late into the night.

According to Project Director Eddie Lee, “You don’t have to be a jazz legend to take part. We’re all about inclusion, inspiration and building connections that last a lifetime.”

The 2025 programme will also honour the memory of Paraic Potter, a Sligo jazz great who helped shape the early days of the festival.

Details and Booking

  • Dates: 22–27 July 2025
  • Venues: Hawk’s Well Theatre, ATU Sligo, and across town
  • Festival Pass: €150 for all seven main theatre concerts
  • Summer School: Adult €580 / Youth €280 (Ultra Early Bird)
  • Website: www.sligojazz.ie