Norwegian jazz pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff and Estonian saxophone player Villu Veski first met in 2023, performing together at a Norwegian/Estonian wedding in Skjerstad, Northern Norway. This special rendezvous has resulted in several concerts with Hoff and Veski in Norway and Estonia. Based on their different musical background, but still many similar influences in jazz and music in general, Hoff and Veski create improvisations and interpretations with a unique duo signature. In May 2025 they decided to record music for a duo album in the beautiful Arvo Pärt centre, Laulasmaa.
The title track Saga opens the album in a crystal clear and naked way. The next track, Hoff´s Living, has become a signature tune for the duo, and it was one of the first songs they performed together. Ukuaru valss by Arvo Pärt has been recorded in many versions, this time as a lyrical, downtempo piece. Hoff´s Innocence shows more of the duo´s jazz influences, while Adventure is a spontaneous piano improvisation. Veski´s Arrival and Hoff´s Fly North are band compositions arranged for duo, whereas Kudomaine viis and Barndomsminne fra Nordland are regarded by many as unofficial national anthems from their respective regions. Villu Veski´s tune Pathway/Kealakekua ends this musical SAGA much as it began, a meditative journey that hopefully can bring the listener a little peace and reflection in today´s unrestful world.
