Playing the Hawk’s Well theatre on Tuesday evening Dhafer Youssef opens the Sligo Jazz Project festival concerts.

Born in Teboulba, Tunisia in 1967, Youssef, above, is known for his work with Renaud Garcia-Fons, Markus Stockhausen, Carlo Rizzo, Nguyên Lê, Wolfgang Puschnig and Christian Muthspiel, among others, with his music rooted in the Sufi tradition. His many widely acclaimed albums include Divine Shadows, Digital Prophecy, and Electric Sufi, and his music has the ability to embrace both middle eastern classical styles, electronica, and dance grooves.

Bass-guitar jazz and soul session don Chuck Rainey (Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, Black Byrd, Pretzel Logic) is guest of honour flying in to give masterclasses and a public interview. And Youssef also joins The Impossible Gentlemen, above, already confirmed as Sligo Jazz Project’s first ever band-in-residence, saxophonist Ernie Watts – best known for his work with Cannonball Adderley, the late Charlie Haden in Quartet West and with Kurt Elling – plus Hastings-based singer Liane Carroll whose new album Seaside is a big prospect for the autumn, all heading way out west. Bassist John Goldsby, a longtime member of leading German big band the WDR, will once again be part of the faculty and perform.

Listen to the Jazz World interview with festival director Eddie Lee on BBC Radio Ulster tonight, the programme beginning just after 10pm