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 and Marilyn Mazur.

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 March 2026, Villu Veski presents 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.

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.

Also in 2025 Veski initiated the Estonian–Danish collaborative project “Nordic Ballads” with Danish singer Katrina Petersen. The project has received invitations to several international festivals in Estonia, Denmark and the Faroe Islands.

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

PRESS & MEDIA →
Reviews · Radio & Airplay · Television & Video

Nordic Ballads & Satro Shaman Drums “Nordic Ballads was, in the end, more than a concert program—it was a deliberate act of cultural retrieval, Veski and his collaborators returning old stories to life with a modern sensibility that felt both timeless in origin and fresh in execution.”

Nenad Georgievski, June 9th 2026
READ FULL REVIEW 

Couleursjazz

“Villu Veski was reunited with Danish singer Katrina Petersen. Thanks to her Faroese family roots, she naturally interprets the archipelago’s ancient ballads, as well as songs in Icelandic and other Nordic languages. Alongside them, guitarist Andreas Ugorskij and keyboard player Raun Juurikas create an atmosphere of great delicacy, before the arrival of the Satro Shaman Drum Orchestra takes the performance into an entirely different dimension”

Pascal Dorban,  August 12t, 2026, Couleursjazz.fr

UK JAZZ NEWS

“...they lifted the music into another dimension. By the end they had us all on their higher spiritual level.“

By Oliver Weindling 1 May 2026

RADIO & AIRPLAY 

 Klassikaraadio (ERR - Estonian National Broadcasting)

Listen Live Broadcast Jazzkaar 2026 apr 28th

TELEVISION  & VIDEO

ETV - Estonian National Television (ERR - Estonian National Broadcasting)

ETV Prime Time Show “Hommik Anuga”

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/villuvesk

• PROJECTS:

DISCOGRAPHY

Villu Veski – Albums and Main Projects

2026 — SAGA

Jan Gunnar Hoff | Villu Veski
Hoff | Veski Music · SAGACD006 · CD · ℗ & © 2026

A duo album by Norwegian jazz pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff and Estonian saxophonist Villu Veski. Alongside original compositions by both musicians, the album features Arvo Pärt’s Ukuaru valss, Heino Eller’s Kodumaine viis and Adolf Thomsen’s Barndomsminne fra Nordland.

Musicians: Jan Gunnar Hoff – Steinway & Sons grand piano; Villu Veski – soprano saxophone.

Tracks: Saga, Living, Ukuaru valss, Innocence, Adventure, Arrival, Fly North, Kodumaine viis, Barndomsminne fra Nordland, Pathway / Kealakekua.

Recorded May 6–7, 2025 at the Arvo Pärt Centre, Laulasmaa, Estonia.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Tanel Klesment.
Produced by Jan Gunnar Hoff and Villu Veski.
Total time: 46:26.

The album and its recording at the Arvo Pärt Centre in 2025 are also documented by the Arvo Pärt Centre/Niguliste Museum concert information.

2026 — Nordic Ballads – Live at Padise Monastery

Katrina Petersen · Villu Veski · Andreas Ugorskij · Raun Juurikas, Arno Kalbus & Šatro Shaman Drum Orchestra
KV Records · KVCD001 · CD · ℗ & © 2026

An album inspired by ancient Nordic ballads, myths and sagas, bringing together the vocal traditions of the Faroe Islands and Scandinavia, jazz improvisation and the powerful rhythmic world of the Šatro Shaman Drum Orchestra.

Musicians: Katrina Petersen – vocals; Villu Veski – saxophone; Andreas Ugorskij – guitar; Raun Juurikas – keyboards; Arno Kalbus & Šatro Shaman Drum Orchestra.

Tracks: Two Skjaldur, Saga, Min Móðir, Nú Liggur Ein Kavafonn, Gola, Arrival, Täpmarschen, Livsens Brød, Om Berg Och Dalar, I Gøtu Ein Dag.

The album features Faroese and Swedish traditional music as well as compositions by Villu Veski, Magnus Johannessen, E. Palsdottir and M. Blak.

Recorded August 28, 2025 at Padise Monastery, Estonia.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Alo Jaanivald.
Produced by Villu Veski.
Cover design by Villu Veski and Marite Kiota.
Total time: 54:10.

The album is also documented on the KV Stuudio website as the debut recording of the Nordic Ballads project.

2018 — Crazy Enough

Laura & W — Laura Põldvere & Villu Veski
CD · ℗ & © Villu Veski · Laura Põldvere 2018

A collaborative album by Laura Põldvere and Villu Veski, bringing together jazz, pop, electronic soundscapes and improvisation.

Tracks: Crazy Enough, King of Dance, Concerto Vicino, Take Your Time, Honeybunny Blues, Psychopso, Mis põhjusel sa poogitud roosile puudutuse keelad?, Folk Couture.

Album design: Piret Mikker.
Photography: Krõõt Tarkmeel.

2009 — Nordic Sounds, Volume 3 / Põhjala saarte hääled III

Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste / NordicSounds
CD · 2009

The third album in Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste’s NordicSounds series. Original music inspired by the Nordic countries and islands combines jazz, improvisation and Nordic soundscapes.

Featuring Taavo Remmel, Brian Melvin, Federico Casagrande, Robert Annus and Guido Kangur.

NordicSounds is one of Veski’s long-running projects with accordionist Tiit Kalluste.

2008 — iLife Jazz Party

Villu Veski
Juu Jääb Records / Elwood Muusik · CD
℗ 2008 Juu Jääb Records · © 2008 Elwood Muusik

An original project by Villu Veski, with material recorded in Hawaii, the Faroe Islands, Austria, Finland, Latvia and Estonia. The album combines jazz, electronic music, world music and recordings created in different locations.

Tracks: Life is a Journey, A nova imagem do amor, Lil’bit of Swing, Let’s Dance All Night Long, The History of Rap, Highway to Heaven, Hononau, Club Kahena, Silence, Jazz no mar alto, Angel.

Featuring Sofia Rubina, Eivør, Bird, James “Plookie” Werts, Federico Casagrande, Deniss Pashkevich, Raimonds Macats, Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa and others.

Arranged, programmed and edited by Villu Veski.
Produced by Villu Veski.
Sleeve design by Asko Künnap.

2005 — Mi Tango en Buenos Aires

Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste / Tango Nuevo feat. Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla
CD · 2005

An album by Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste’s Tango Nuevo project. Original compositions by the Estonian musicians meet influences from Argentine tango, creating a Nordic perspective on the tango nuevo tradition.

Musicians: Villu Veski – saxophones; Tiit Kalluste – accordion; Andre Maaker – guitar; Oleg Pissarenko – guitar; Leho Karin – cello; Taavo Remmel – double bass; Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla – drums.

2002 — Sounds of the Nordic Islands, Vol. 2 / Põhjala saarte hääled II

Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste Quintet
CD · 2002

The second album in the NordicSounds series.

Musicians: Villu Veski – saxophones; Tiit Kalluste – accordion and diatonic accordion; Raimonds Macats – keyboards, harmonica and vocals; Taavo Remmel – double bass; Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa – percussion.

The release is also listed in Villu Veski’s digital discography.

1998 — Sounds of the Nordic Islands / Põhjala saarte hääled

Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste
Orbital Vox Studio · CD · 1998

The first album of Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste’s NordicSounds project. Inspired by the nature, culture and music of the Nordic islands, the project developed into a long-running creative collaboration.

Musicians: Villu Veski – saxophones; Tiit Kalluste – accordion.

The Estonian Music Information Centre also identifies Veski and Kalluste as the initiators of the Nordic Sounds project.

1992 - Baltic Walkathon 

Avicenna
AVG · MC01 · Audio Cassette (MC) · 1992

Tracks: Baltic Walkathon, Changing Times, Heaven, Abend in Berlin, My Funny Valentine, Inflation, Madagascar, I’m Founded, Avicenna.

Musicians: Villu Veski – alto & tenor saxophones; Sven Kullerkupp – keyboards; Taavo Remmel – fretless bass & sequencer programming; Raul Vaigla – fretless bass; Ain Varts – acoustic & electric guitar; Toomas Rull – drums & percussion.

Produced by Villu Veski.
Produced for Anthony Vincent Group, 1992.
Recorded at L.H. Studios, Tallinn.
Recording engineers: Elmu Värk, Jüri Tamm, Jaanus Ling.
Mix and digital mastering: Elmu Värk, Jaanus Ling.
Cover design: Lembit Oton.
Total playing time: 45:40

1989 — Sergei Manukjan & Avicenna

Sergei Manukjan & Avicenna
Melodiya · LP / vinyl · С60 29339 000 · 1989

An important recording from Villu Veski’s early jazz career. The ensemble began performing in 1985 and from 1987 worked with jazz pianist and vocalist Sergei Manukjan. According to the original LP sleeve, the ensemble performed under the name Avicenna from the beginning of 1989.

The group’s repertoire combined fusion and pop jazz, with soul influences introduced through the collaboration with Sergei Manukjan. Most of the repertoire consisted of original compositions by members of the ensemble.

Villu Veski – saxophone

According to the original LP sleeve, the ensemble had performed internationally in Finland, Hungary, East Germany and West Berlin, and appeared at Pori Jazz ’88.

Melodiya (Мелодия), 1989
Catalogue No. С60 29339 000

The Estonian Music Information Centre also identifies Avicenna as one of the jazz ensembles founded by Villu Veski.

VIDEO / DVD

2003 — Tango Nuevo

Villu Veski & Tiit Kalluste Tangosextet · Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla
DVD · PSHDVD003

Recorded live at the Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn, on February 15, 2003.

Musicians: Villu Veski – saxophones; Tiit Kalluste – accordion; Andre Maaker – acoustic guitar; Oleg Pissarenko – acoustic guitar; Leho Karin – cello; Taavo Remmel – double bass; Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla – drums.

Tango dancers: Juan Votiñez & Sonia Peralta.

Programme: Tanguero, Tango for an Old Accordion, Tangotan, Anibal, Mirage, Niño bien, Mi Tango en Buenos Aires, Lunfardo, Libertango, Chiquilín de Bachín.

All arrangements by Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste.
Produced by Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste.
Recorded by Estonian Television and Estonian Radio.
Running time: 165 min.

The Tango Sextet with Daniel “Pipi” Piazzolla is also documented by the Estonian Music Information Centre as a Veski–Kalluste project established in 2002.

TALLINN SAXOPHONE QUARTET

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

The Tallinn Saxophone Quartet was founded in 1983 by saxophonist and professor Olavi Kasemaa

. From 1985, the quartet performed with 

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano saxophone, Villu Veski – alto saxophone, Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone, and Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

.The ensemble’s repertoire ranged from classical and contemporary music to jazz, with a particular emphasis on works by Estonian composers written for saxophone quartet.

1989 — Tallinn Saxophone Quartet

Melodiya · LP · С10 28621 009

Recorded in 1988 · Released in 1989

Personnel:

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano saxophone

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone

Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

Works:

Mati Kuulberg – Quartetto per saxofoni

Alo Põldmäe – Sonatina for Four Saxophones

Pierre Max Dubois – Quatuor pour saxophones

Eugène Bozza – Andante et Scherzo

Sound engineer: E. Tomson, Editor: M. Maripuu. Artwork: M. Haavamägi, Photography: T. Vernik

1994 — Tallinn Saxophone Quartet Plays J.S. Bach and Jazz

RTV 003 · CD

An album combining the music of J.S. Bach, 20th-century vocal repertoire and jazz.

Personnel:

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano saxophone

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone

Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

Tiiu Levald – soprano

The programme includes selections from J.S. Bach’s  The Art of the Fugue, songs by Samuel Barber and Francis Poulenc, and jazz repertoire including  There Will Never Be Another You, Phil Woods’  Improvisation for Sax Quartet and ’Round About Midnight

.Recorded at Estonian Radio Studios, Tallinn in June 1992 and February 1994. Recording engineer: Tiit Varts, DAT mastering: Maido Maadik

Producer: Villu Veski

Executive producer: Andres Jõesaar

Produced by RTV

1997 — Estonian Contemporary Music

Tallinn Saxophone Quartet · Demo CD / CD-R · Not for sale

A special collection of contemporary Estonian music prepared for the Tallinn Saxophone Quartet’s participation in the 1997 World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain

.

Works:

Erkki-Sven Tüür – Lamentatio

Lepo Sumera – Con anima

Ester Mägi / Enn Vetemaa – Collocutio, Saxophone Quartet No. 2

Mart Siimer – About the Coming of Evening Peace

Personnel:

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano saxophone

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone

Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

Recorded at Estonian Radio Studios, Tallinn in September 1997. Recorded by Vello Meier and Tiit Varts. CD-R produced by Vello Meier.

This recording was produced as a promotional/demo CD and was not intended for commercial sale.

2003 — Tallinn Saxophone Quartet Plays Estonian Contemporary Music

Edition 49 · CD

Works:

Lepo Sumera – Con anima

Lepo Sumera – Lupus in fabula

Esko Oja – Saxophone Quartet

Eino Tamberg – Play for Five in Four Acts

Tõnu Kõrvits – The Detached Bridge

Tallinn Saxophone Quartet:

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano and alto saxophone

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone

Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

Also featuring Madis Metsamart and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra conducted by Tarmo Leinatamm

.

COLLABORATION ALBUM

2000 — Anno Domini

Academic Male Choir of Tallinn University of Technology

Conductor: Jüri Rent

The album features the Academic Male Choir of Tallinn University of Technology together with the Tallinn Saxophone Quartet. Pirjo Levandi, Villu Valdmaa and other musicians.

The Tallinn Saxophone Quartet performs in Aare Kruusimäe’s Christmas Songs Op. 18 (2000), for male choir and saxophone quartet

.Tallinn Saxophone Quartet:

Olavi Kasemaa – soprano saxophone

Villu Veski – alto saxophone

Valdur Neumann – tenor saxophone

Hendrik Nagla – baritone saxophone

Recorded in spring 2000.