Ruskaswing 13.-15.9.2012
Ruska Swing is a jazz festival, concentrating very strictly on the traditional swing-jazz. However, other parts of the rhythm-music won’t be forgotten. Ruska Swing is one of the few events in Scandinavia having its focus in classic jazz.
Ruska Swing is located in the Lapland area. The main part of the festival takes place in Pyhätunturi national park area in the municipality of Pelkosenniemi but also the birth place of the event, Kemijärvi (the northern-most town of Finland), has many concerts.
Ruska Swing was founded in 1989 by journalist Pekka Lintula. Since that the artistic director of the festival has been Antti Sarpila. Antti Sarpila (clarinet & saxophones, born 1964) is one of the few internationally known jazz musicians from Finland. Although based in Helsinki, he performs extensively as a solo artist all over the world.
Antti Sarpila has been a student of the world famous American clarinet and saxophone player Bob Wilber during the 1980's. Wilber himself was a student of legendary Sidney Bechet in the 1940's. This legacy is the reason for Sarpila's dedication and respect to the tradition of jazz. He wants to combine the influences captured from the early masters (from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker) with his own personal style to create what would be best described as "classic jazz".The continuing association between Antti and Bob has reaped many rewards. One of the highlights was in 1988, when Antti was asked to join Bob in doing a "Tribute to Benny Goodman" concert in Carnegie Hall, New York. In 2000 Antti renewed his visit to this legendary concert hall with the Swedish vibraphone player Lars Erstrand
During his career, Antti has performed on numerous jazz festivals and concerts all over Europe, USA, Asia and as far as in Australia. Despite his relatively young age he has had the honour to play with such giants as Doc Cheatham, Wild Bill Davison, Buddy DeFranco, Vic Dickenson, Panama Francis, Bob Haggart, Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna, John Henrics, Milt Hinton, Peanuts Hucko, Thad Jones, Dave McKenna, Bucky Pizzarelli, Marshal Royal, Zoot Sims, Dick Wellstood, Frank Wess, Trummy Young... and to guest world famous orchestras as Count Basie Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, Dutch Swing College Band..
In Finland Antti Sarpila has his own Swing Band which will have its 30th anniversary next year and they will once again be integral part of the festival. Other members of the Swing band are Marian Petrescu (piano), Mihai Petrescu (double bass) and Keith Hall (drums).
Ruska Swing takes place at the second weekend of the September. As the first night time frost of autumn sets in and the days get shorter, the vegetation starts preparations for the coming winter. The leaves of trees change colour from green into vibrant shades of golden yellow and glowing crimson to crown the period of natural colour and splendour called ruska.
Ruska begins in the north where the best time to experience these remarkable colours of nature are after the first week in September. Ruska arrives in southern Lapland around a week later than in northern Lapland. Apart from admiring the countryside during ruska, the autumn is otherwise a good time to head for Lapland’s nature.
Ruska Swing has a wide variety of concerts and concert places. The strengths of the festival are in its nature, high-quality jazz music and the great atmosphere which is difficult to describe by words.
Why don’t you visit Lapland and experience the whole package. You are warmly welcome!
Jarkko Kotilaine
producer of Ruska Swing
Ruskaswing artistit
Ruskaswingien artisteja.