Joseph Leighton: guitar
Conor Murray: bass
Paul Clarvis: drums
Micheal Murray: saxophone
One of Ireland’s brightest jazz talents, guitarist Joseph Leighton evolved from teenage rock prodigy in Derry to a dynamic jazz voice, mentored by greats like Jesse van Ruller, Mike Walker and Peter Bernstein. A sought-after sideman, he’s toured from Vietnam to Jamaica (the latter reflecting his roots) and shared stages with UK sax legend Julian Siegel. Don’t miss this quartet with the Murray twins, Conor & Micheál and first call drummer Paul Clarvis — a thrilling blend of energy and finesse.

5pm – 7pm Hawk’s Well Theatre Lobby

Catch some spontaneous performances featuring the 150 or so summer school participants who flock to Sligo each year for the love of jazz! You’d never know who might show up to join in.

5.30pm Thomas Connolly

One of Sligo’s most popular sessions featuring a merry troupe led by a legend of the Sligo music scene Gerry Grennan, playing good time western swing and gypsy jazz

Rufus Reid: bass Kush Abadey: drums Freddie Hendrix: trumpet Pablo Held: piano and special guests

Rufus Reid will appear in two special sets for this concert.
Set 1 features the legendary bassist in intimate collaborations with faculty members in small ensemble configurations.
Set 2 expands the scope with larger ensemble pieces, culminating in a rousing finale with the SJP Little Big Band.
One of jazz's true renaissance figures, Rufus Reid has shaped the music's evolution since the 1970s through his virtuosic bass playing, innovative compositions, and dedicated pedagogy. With over 500 recordings to his credit - including 25 as a leader and recent vinyl releases on Newvelle Records - his collaborators read like a who's who of jazz: Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Thad Jones, and Kenny Barron among them. His compositional reach extends from solo bass works to symphony orchestras, with his Grammy-nominated Quiet Pride project showcasing his large ensemble mastery.
Reid's educational impact matches his musical achievements. His seminal book The Evolving Bassist remains the gold standard for bass instruction, while his co-creation of William Paterson University's Jazz Studies program established one of the first accredited BM degrees in jazz. The recipient of prestigious honors including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Reid continues to push boundaries - truly living up to his moniker "The Evolving Bassist. "
Book Tickets

10pm (After Show) Hawk’s Well Theatre Lobby

Catch some spontaneous performances featuring the 150 or so summer school participants who flock to Sligo each year for the love of jazz! You’d never know who might show up to join in.