There may be no stand-out headliners in this year's festival, but what the programme lacks in height it gains in depth, with a few interesting firsts for Irish audiences, and some particularly strong acts from the domestic scene.

The festival is also introducing the post of Artist-in-Residence this year, which fittingly goes to saxophonist Richie Buckley, whose great success as a session player with everyone from Van Morrison to Elvis Costello, has tended to obscure the fact that he is one of Ireland finest and most naturally gifted jazz musicians.

Italian pianist Roberto Magris may be new to audiences here but he has toured the world extensively, in the company of some senior jazz musicians, including legendary bassist Art Davis and French guitar demigod Phillipe Catherine. He plays two concerts, the first to open the festival on Friday (14) at the Hotel Meyrick, accompanied by a strong local band, including Buckley and one of Galway's few native jazz musicians, trumpeter Danny Healy.

The Benny Lackner Trio from Brooklyn, NY have been credited in certain quarters with giving the piano trio format a facelift, mixing a traditional acoustic approach with electronic processing and a repertoire that runs from standards to Bjork and Prince. They play the Meyrick on Saturday 15 September.

The Meyrick, sponsors of the festival, also hosts a matinee concert on Sunday, featuring Magris and a strong Belfast contingent, including trumpeter Linley Hamilton and guitarist Mark McKnight.

Sunday night's double bill offers an opportunity to compare two fine Irish vocalists at very different stages in their careers.

Honor Heffernan has been singing professionally for some 30 years now, and has the ease and style of a consummate artist.

Aoife Doyle is still closer to the beginning of her career, but may be destined for greatness. They will share a stage at the Meyrick for what promises to be a fascinating evening, backed by a superb trio featuring pianist Phil Ware, Evans on bass and drummer Kevin Brady.

Cortisol are one of the more adventurous jazz groups on the Dublin scene, with a line-up of musicians capable of pushing the envelope without ripping it, including trombonist Colm O'Hara and pianist Justin Carroll.

Their latest project Cortisol/Retinol features a live interaction with video artist Mark Linnane, and they will perform at the Town Hall Studio on Saturday evening. Earlier that day, composer and organist Dylan Rynhart will premiere his new piece for organ and voice at St Nicholas Collegiate Church with soprano Sue Brady.

As well as building an audience, the Galway festival was also responsible for introducing Phil Ware to the London-based vocalist Ian Shaw. Shaw, whose new album Drawn to all Things (Linn Records) is a celebration of the songs of Joni Mitchell, is in town to perform live at the Spiegeltent on Wednesday (12) with Ware and his trio for the Dublin Fringe Festival. The night, which also features pianist Joanna McGregor and saxophonist Andy Sheppard, will be broadcast live on Lyric FM's Blue in the Night programme.

While they're at it, Shaw and Ware are also squeezing in a night at JJ Smyths two days later before the latter heads west for Galway.