Festival year 1982
Starting on July 15th and ending on July 18th the 17th festival proved to be a success though it did rain on Saturday. Otherwise warm weather and well-known artists attracted people.
There were over 500 musicians performing and the repertoire consisted mainly of swing. Benny Goodman, Bob Wilbert’s Bechet Legacy, Hot Club de Norvege and Antti Sarpila were some of the most popular performers. Finnish jazz was also well represented.
The press noted summer 1982 more than ever before – mainly because of Benny Goodman. While his music was glorified some other groups playing very similar kind of music were criticized. The audience loved everything they heard but the critics would have wanted to hear some jazz.
Kyösti Varis designed the official festival poster winning several art design awards.
