ABOUT SLIGO JAZZ PROJECT
Sligo Jazz Project has grown to become Europe's biggest and most inclusive jazz education event. Entering its 20th year in 2025, Sligo Jazz Project's summer school does not hold autitions, merely gives a guideline to participants that if they have a grade 3 or above on their instrument they are likely to get more out of the week. But this is optional and just advice, we do not have any minimum grade qualification requirements.
Sligo Jazz Project's main goal is to nurture musicians of all ages and backgrounds by bringing world-class performers to Sligo to teach and perform at its main event each July.
This is what you get if you book your place on SJP summer school:
All summer school participants gain admission to a full-blown world-class jazz festival programme featuring the entire summer school faculty and a host of special guest acts. All the main evening concerts are held in the Hawk’s Well Theatre.
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If you're coming to Sligo Jazz Project's summer school and festival, why not take an extra few days in the area to explore the incredible beauty of Yeats Country?
Sligo is one of Ireland's fastest growing tourist destinations.Sligo boasts a stunning, uninterrupted and wild coast, which attracts surfers and water sport enthusiasts year-round. The Ox Mountains, Benbulben and Knocknarea provide breath-taking, well-marked routes for walkers, and there are an abundance of scenic driving and cycling routes. With historic sites dating back to early civilisations in Ireland, and a modern, vibrant urban culture, Sligo offers an enriching visitor experience. See our accommodation page for more info.
Accommodation Options
We can offer our participants shared apartments in the Grove Sligo, just 5 minutes walk from the summer school venue and 15 mins walk from Sligo city centre.
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WORKSHOPS: ONE OFF ATTENDANCE
Individual masterclasses can be attended by booking in advance – at the rate of €80 per class. Also, you can attend one day’s entire workshop and concert schedule for €140. However, please note that this does not include participation in afternoon ensemble sessions which are geared towards those attending for the whole week, so its not feasible for one-day participants to take part in the ensemble session. See enrolment pages for single day attendance.
What they said…
Comments from Participants & Past Tutors’
Participants
"best jazz festival in the world!"
“THX guys!! It was great to work with you!!! BIG RESPECT.. “Well done Eddie, and everybody else who helped organise this fabulous and inspiring week!” “I learned so much from the tutors and the jam sessions” “Thanks for organizing a memorable and, hopefully, seminal week” “Every aspect was rewarding and inspiring. I look forward to coming next year” “What an incredible week…thanks for putting it all together” “a blistering week of inspirational music “Everyone’s getting sick of me cos I can’t stop talking about how incredible last week was “ “Thanks so much to everyone for such an incredible and inspiring week” “It was a fantastic experience – both enjoyable and challenging” “All the tutors were top-class, I felt like I learned something new every five minutes!” “I thought the programme was a perfect mix of learning, participating, attending performances and socialising. It was challenging, stimulating and fun – it didn’t half keep us on our toes”. "There is no school on earth like this one".. Malcolm Edmonstone, Head of jazz Studies at Guildhall College of Music and Drama, London. “I have been teaching on jazz workshops and summer schools for the past 25 years in places like the US, France, Germany, the UK and Ireland. It is without doubt that I say the Sligo Jazz Project ….is the most organized and smoothly ran workshop that I’ve ever been involved with”…. Jean Toussaint “I had the pleasure of taking part in the Sligo Jazz Project 2011. The workshop and concerts were well organized and the faculty and participants were inspiring. Sligo is a lovely town, definitely worth a visit. Hope to see you there next year. ” … John Riley, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra drummer New York, and educator. “It was a pleasure to teach on the Sligo Jazz Project. The students and faculty were great to work with and I think it was a particularly creative and enjoyable experience for everyone”… John Taylor, UK piano legend “Joining the line up for Sligo 2011 International Jazz Summer School and Festival was one of the most inspiring weeks i’ve had in sometime! And judging from the feedback from the students and punters, this great festival is destined to be a very important fixture on the annual Jazz festival map” … Cleveland Watkiss, UK vocal maestro ”Sligo Jazz… we LOVED you”… David Lyttle, NI drum force “I had a wonderful week and feel completely invigorated by it. it’s such a lovely combination of teaching and playing, and your relaxed approach allows everyone to just do what they do. I thought it was a very strong faculty”. …Paul Clarvis, UK drummer/percussionist and educator.
one of the best weeks in my life!”..thank you so much for the most amazing, fun, inspiring week”. ”
Testimonials from teaching faculty Members
