[1] Sligo Jazz Project was formed in 2005 by a group of local musicians: Eddie Lee, Jim Meehan, Eddie McFarlane, and Felip Carbonell.
Their vision was to bring world-class musicians to Sligo to teach and perform, with musical events that were non-elitist and affordable to everyone.
[2] Its first summer event ran in 2006, with Rufus Reid taking part.
[2] Since then the summer school, which takes place at ATU Sligo, has grown to become the biggest and most inclusive in Europe.
[3] Artists who have taken part in the Festival in recent years include UK composer Nikki Iles (Artist-in-Residence, 2022),[4][5] Christine Tobin,[4][5] Tony Kofi,[3][4] Lauren Kinsella,[5] and many others.