Sligo Jazz Project

The line-up for Sligo Jazz 2009 is remarkable considering the dearth of funding in this recessionary year. Sligo Jazz 2009 is all about breaking the boundaries of jazz and other genres, three of the main acts being arguably the three most progressive UK jazz acts of the 21st century thus far, the other main act featuring the leading young lights of Irish jazz and a 16 year old Swedish prodigy.

Neil Cowley Trio - Britain's most progressive piano trio recently stole the show on "Later with Jools Holland", it broaden's jazz's horizons, fizzing with the energy of rock and the surging dynamics of dance music. After their National Concert Hall appearance they head for Sligo, so catch them in a much more intimate setting at the Factory Performance Space, Sligo on July 17. Their latest CD Loud… Louder…Stop was listed in Mojo Magazine’s 50 Best Albums of 2008, and named no 1 Jazz Album in The Sunday Times and was described as “one of the freshest, most uplifting albums of the year regardless of genre. A modern classic” by Mojo magazine.
FACTORY PERFORMANCE SPACE 8pm JULY 17. Tickets €15 +353 71 917 0431

Empirical - continued to be one of the most critically acclaimed UK bands in 2008 adding the Ensemble of the Year prize at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards to the ever increasing list of awards. ‘Though suggestive of the old Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the band had its own strong flow, with all original music. It was a treat to hear something totally unfamiliar on a mainstream festival bill, and the crowd responded with unchecked enthusiasm’ The New York Times FACTORY PERFORMANCE SPACE 8pm JULY 18 Tickets €15 +353 71 917 0431

Get The Blessing - Award-winning, Bristol based Get The Blessing (formerly The Blessing) are made up of bassist Jim Barr, drummer Clive Deamer, trumpeter Pete Judge and saxophonist Jake McMurchie. Jim Barr and Clive Deamer of '90s trip-hop superstars Portishead formed Get The Blessing in 2000 to share a fascination with improvised music, a pathological distrust of chords and a passion for north-african cuisine. "If the term 'jazz-rock' could be stricken from history and applied with virginal use to The Blessing, it could be pulled from the mud and proclaimed the future.” – Venue Magazine. “The shape of jazz to come”... Hi-Fi Choice
FESTIVAL CLUB @ TOBERGAL LANE CAFE 10.30pm JULY 18 Tickets €10 at Door
Matthew Halpin Quintet is a new group lead by Ireland's leading young saxophone virtuoso, Matthew Halpin, who himself has maintained a vibrant young presence at all Sligo Jazz Project main events to date and features as a band leader for the first time at an Irish festival at the ripe age of 18. Matthew this year received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, the world's leading jazz education institution, where he will inevitably blossom into one of Ireland's great jazz exports. He is joined by former SJP summer school attendees, James Little, bass, Scott Kohlmann, guitar, Swedish prodigy Karl-Henrik Ousback on drums and the comparative veteran of the Irish jazz scene though still in his mid-twenties, Justin Carroll, on piano. FESTIVAL CLUB @ TOBERGAL LANE CAFE 10.30pm JULY 17 Tickets €10 at door
There will also be a Sunday brunch special with Sligo's own The Odd Couple and Sinead Conway, TOBERGAL LANE CAFÉ, JULY 19 1pm - €15 including brunch - Advance Booking essential, this event was sold out during both the past two festivals.
Highlights of our 2006 summer school and jazz festival