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biography / portrait

Education - 1980 - 1985 Estonian Academy of Music Completed himself in Tatabanya Jazz Camp, Hungary under tenor-saxophonist Ernie Wilkins from the USA (1988) and in Conservatoire of Paris Summer Academy in Nice with professor Claude Delangle (1989). Professional Experience - In 1983-87 Villu Veski has won several prizes on various contests for wind players in the former USSR. - Since 1982 he is teaching saxophone and improvisation in Tallinn Music School - Since 1999 he is teaching saxophone and improvisation in Viljandi cultural College - He has been teaching in workshops in Germany and in Norway. - Since 1999 he is a member of the board of Estonian Performers' Association - His repertoire includes classical compositions for alto saxophone and large amount of music for saxophone quartet. In the field of Jazz he prefers old swing style, etno-jazz and funky-groove. - He has performed frequently on Festivals of Estonian Music and on Contemporary Music Festival NYYD, performing new works of Estonian composers. He has done first performances of saxophone concertos by Estonian composers Eino Tamberg and Hillar Kareva, both written specially for him. - He has performed as soloist with Estonian State Symphonic Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra, and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra with conductors Neeme Järvi, Peeter Lilje, Vello Pähn, Arvo Volmer and Tarmo Leinatamm. - He is also active in chamber music, performing with pianists and other ensembles. He belongs to Tallinn Saxophone Quartet, which has given concerts both in Estonia and abroad, including The 11th World Saxophone Congress 1997 in Spain, Valencia; 12th World Saxophone Congress 2000 in Canada, Montreal. - In 1998 Villu Veski and accordionist Tiit Kalluste initiated duo-project Sounds of the Nordic Islands, which included performances on The 2nd EuroCass Congress in Krakov, Poland (1998), 12th World Saxophone Congress in Montreal, Canada (2000), World EXPO 2000 in Hannover, London Royal Music College (2000), Stockholm Museum of Modern Art (2000), as well as concerts on Faroe Islands, Gotland, Öland, Aland and other Nordic islands, also in Moscow, Vilnius and Riga. - In the field of Jazz Villu Veski has been the founder and leader of groups Avicenna (1986-1990) and Saxappeal Band (since 1992). He has performed with pianist and singer Sergei Manukjan, singer Debbie Cameron, percussionist Abdissa Assefa, zitar-player Baluji Shrivastav and percussionist Matti Oiling etc. - He has participated in all Jazz Festivals in Estonia, in many Scandinavian festivals: Pori International Jazz (1988/1999/2001), Bergen Nattjazz (1994), Copenhagen European Cultural Capital "Artgenda '96", as well as in Tbilisi International Jazz Festival (1986), Festival "Ossennije Ritmy" in Leningrad (1990), "Stupenka v Parnass" in Moscow (1990), Adolphe Sax Festival in Dinant, Belgium (1994). - Villu Veski has been active as composer as well. He has created music for TV-ads, in 1999 he created music for TV-documental "Around the World in 90 Days" with 13 parts, which have been shown on Discovery Travel Channel, BBC/Flextech UK Style and TVF International. Recordings - Tallinn Saxophone Quartet LP1989 Sergei Manukjan & Avicenna LP1989 Tallinn Saxophone Quartet plays Bach & Jazz CD1994 Oh, Lady Be Cool, Saxappeal Band CD1994 Sounds of the Nordic Islands, duo Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste CD1998 Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Eino Tamberg/Saxophone Concerto/Villu Veski CD2000 TTU Malechoir/Tallinn Saxophone Quartet CD2000 Sounds of the Nordic Islands II Villu Veski/Tiit Kalluste 5-tet CD2001 (Source:www.nordicsounds.ee)