In the late 1970-ies tourist magnet Velden at the Wörthersee learned from a market analysis that they were lacking profile and attractivity for a young audience. Inspired by the Montreux Jazz Festival, also situated at a lake and offering a casino, they decided for a jazz festival. Fritz Thom was asked to organize the festival, large circus-tents were brought from Italy, attention by the audience surpassed all expectations.