Villu Veski is a saxophonist, composer and producer and one of the most internationally recognized Estonian jazz musicians. His music combines Nordic soundscapes, improvisational jazz and elements of world music, and has played an important role in shaping the Estonian jazz scene for several decades.

Veski has performed in prestigious concert halls around the world, including Tokyo Opera City, Berliner Philharmonie, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Brucknerhaus.

He has appeared at numerous international festivals such as Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz, Nattjazz, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Jazzwoche Burghausen and Lagos Jazz Series.

Internationally, Veski has collaborated with a wide range of distinguished artists including Eivør Pálsdóttir, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Ola Onabule, Bobo Stenson, Barbara Dennerlein, Lee Oskar, Marilyn Mazur and Katrina Petersen.

Veski is also a member of the ensemble Yggdrasil, founded by Faroese composer Kristian Blak, and has participated in several of the ensemble’s recordings and international tours across Europe, the Nordic countries, the United States and Siberia.

One of his best-known projects is the ensemble NordicSounds, created together with accordionist Tiit Kalluste. With this group they have performed hundreds of concerts in 36 countries and recorded four albums. The project blends Nordic musical atmosphere with jazz improvisation and world-music influences.

Alongside his performing career, Veski has also been active as an educator. He has worked as an associate professor and lecturer at the G. Ots Tallinn Music School (MUBA), the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Among his notable students are Raivo Tafenau, Virgo Veldi, Raul Sööt, Deniss Pashkevich, Maria Faust, Sofia Rubina and Silver Sepp.


Recent Artistic Activity

In 2025, Veski initiated the joint Estonian-Danish project "Nordic Ballads". Musicians of Nordic Ballads: Katrina Petersen - vocals (DK), Villu Veski - saxophones (EST/DK), Andreas Ugorskij - guitar (DK),Raun Juurikas - keyboards (EST). "Nordic Ballads" also collaborates with the Šatro Shaman Drum Orchestra, whose creator and artistic director is Arno Kalbus (EST).   The live album NORDIC BALLADS "Live at Padise Monastery" KVCD001 has been released from the very first concert of Nordic Ballads & Šatro. The unique line-up has performed at international festivals Jazzkaar (Estonia), Summartonar (Faroe Islands), Viru Folk (Estonia). In October 2026, the album's presentation concerts will take place in Denmark: H2O Copenhagen, Kulturhus Gimle, Koncertkapellet Roskilde.


Press:

Summartonar Jazz Festival 2026 - In the Faroe Islands, Jazz blows with the wind
Couleursjazz.fr by Pascal Dorban 12 August 2026

"Jazzkaar Festival Escapes Jazz buit still compels"
JAZZ JOURNAL UK by Pascal Dorban  13 May 2026
Iz tišine v ritual: Katrine Petersen, Villu Veski, Šatro Shaman Drums. RTV I SLO.SI.  
by Marko Kumer, Program Ars.  9 May 2026
 Virumaa Teataja: VIRU FOLK : Villu Veski: "Nenedel ballaadidel on iidsed tekstid" by Marju Lina 9. August 2026



Villu Veski I Jan Gunnar Hoff In March 2026, Villu Veski presented the new duo album SAGA, created in collaboration with Norwegian jazz pianist and composer Jan Gunnar Hoff. The album was recorded at the Arvo Pärt Centre in 2025.
The album launch concerts will take place at Steinway Hall in Oslo and Molde Cathedral. The album is digitally distributed by Saga Musikkforlag and is available on more than 240 digital platforms, as well as on CD.

                                                                                                     

   Listen in Spotify: SAGA


In 2025 Veski initiated the concert series “Art Resonates” (Kunst Kõlab) at Niguliste Museum in cooperation with the Art Museum of Estonia, serving as the curator of the series. The project combines music and visual arts and continues in 2026.

In 2024 Veski served as musical director of the international project Heritage Dialogues, held in Norway.

Awards and Recognition

Villu Veski’s contribution to Estonian music has been recognized with numerous awards, including:

  • 2025 Cultural Partnership Foundation Recognition Award

  • 2022 Estonian Music Council – Music Life Figure Award

  • 2012 Order of the White Star, 5th Class

  • 2012 Elion Jazz Award – Jazz Artist of the Year

  • 2010 Estonian Cultural Endowment Cultural Award “Saaremaa Cultural Pearl”

  • 2008 Estonian Music Awards – Jazz Artist of the Year

  • 2005 Estonian Cultural Endowment Annual Prize (Music)

  • 1987 Diploma Laureate – All-Union Wind Instrument Competition (Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine)

  • 1983 Laureate – Inter-Republic Wind Instrument Competition (Šiauliai, Lithuania)

  • Additional information: 

  • https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villu_Veski

  • Digital media links:

  • https://linktr.ee/villuveski