IMATRA BIG BAND FESTIVAL is among Finland’s elite festivals

Imatra Big Band Festival (IBBF) has brought life to the Finnish music festival scene for 28 years. This coming summer, the event will be organized for the 29^th time. IBBF is an international music festival that places a particular emphasis on large orchestra jazz although the festival also features smaller ensembles. Since its founding, IBBF has broadened its horizons each year and now showcases local, national and international artists from a variety of musical genres, including R&B, blues, funk, rock, soul, world beat, swing, pop and easy listening.

Since 1983 over 10 000 artists and 1000 musical groups have performed at the festival. Headline concerts are held in the BB Club tent, which houses audiences of 2500 and is located in the heart of Imatra. IBBF is an internationally regarded big band festival and is in a league of its own as eastern Finland’s largest and most popular event. Approximately 50 000 spectators participate in the event annually. One of the main reasons the event has been so successful is the outpouring of friendly, warm and intense spirit that surrounds the festival – Imatra Spirit!