In 2011 Oulu Music Festival started with a two days Oulu All Star Big Band festival in late February. The first concert combined big band sound and rap music, and on the second night Oulu All Star Big Band played with Jukka Eskola and Timo Lassy.
In March the festival continued with chamber music, symphony concerts, world music, jazz and dance music. International guests included Portugese faro singer Ana Moura and Norwegian folk-jazz fusion band Farmers Market.