Trumpeter.
“In Pajumaa’s performance, the trumpet’s convincing command of musical qualities stood out, betraying masterly and ample technical reserves.”
“He is probably one of the youngest authors to have been featured at the Song Celebration.”
Translated from Estonian
An American in Paris
Listen to my performance of this iconic trumpet solo in George Gershwin's "An American in Paris", which I performed at the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra's New Year's Concert on 1 January 2024.
About me
Martin Pajumaa is an Estonian trumpet player and the designated Solo Trumpet of Kammerphilharmonie Graubünden (Switzerland, starting December 2025). He has performed with the European Union Youth Orchestra, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, and Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Junge Philharmonie Zentralschweiz, and has worked under conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, Antonio Pappano, Manfred Honeck, and Paavo Järvi.
Alongside his performance career, Martin is also active as an arranger and composer. His orchestrations are regularly performed by professional orchestras and have been featured at events such as the Estonian and Latvian Youth Song Celebrations.
He is currently continuing his musical development at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, studying with Immanuel Richter and Huw Morgan.
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Martin Pajumaa is an Estonian trumpeter, currently designated Solo Trumpet of Kammerphilharmonie Graubünden (Switzerland, from December 2025) and studying trumpet at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts with Immanuel Richter and Huw Morgan. He is a prize-winner of numerous competitions and has taken part in masterclasses with Omar Tomason, Miroslav Petkov, Uwe Köller and Hannes Läubin, Jeroen Berwaerts, among others.
As an orchestral musician, Martin Pajumaa has worked with the Estonia National Opera Symphony Orchestra and the Gstaad Festival Orchestra and has played with the European Union Youth Orchestra. He regularly freelances with professional Estonian and Swiss orchestras and ensembles and has collaborated with conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, Antonio Pappano, Manfred Honeck, Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Sir Mark Elder, Arvo Volmer, Olari Elts, Tõnu Kaljuste and Risto Joost.
Martin is an avid chamber musician, he is a member of the brass ensemble Tuulisbrass and has performed with the Estonian Academic Brass Quintet. He is dedicated to presenting Estonian music, performing music by composers such as Tõnu Kõrvits, Eino Tamberg, Rein Rannap, Peeter Vähi, Erich Jalajas, Uno Naissoo and Hillar Kareva. In February 2024 he premiered the original piano version of Ülo Vinter's Trumpet Concerto.
In addition to his work as a trumpeter, Martin is also a composer and arranger, with projects with the Estonian National Opera, the Pärnu City Orchestra and the Tallinn Police Orchestra. In the summer of 2023, his orchestration of the piece "Little House by the Sea" was performed at the Youth Song Celebration, and the same piece will be performed at the Latvian Youth Song Celebration in 2025.
As a composer, Martin's most extensive work to date, "as I walk past the street…" (2021/2024) for brass quintet and percussion, has been performed in Estonia and Sweden, and recorded by Tuulisbrass ("Estonian Music for Brass", 2023).
Martin began his trumpet studies at the age of seven at the Tabasalu Music School under the tutelage of Valdo Rüütelmaa, and later continued his studies at the Tallinn Music High School in Indrek Vau's trumpet class. In 2023, he graduated from Tallinn College of Music and Ballet with the highest distinction.
Arranger & Composer
Little House by the Sea, by Ülo Vinter
for wind band
Crafted for the 2023 Estonian Youth Song Celebration to be played by over 1000 musicians, and later adapted for the 2025 Latvian Celebration, this arrangement brings a fresh twist to this beloved piece of Estonian film music, reflecting its enduring charm and significance in Estonian culture.
Trumpet Concerto, by Tõnu Kõrvits
for trumpet and harp
Originally composed for solo trumpet and symphony orchestra, this arrangement was reimagined for a duo performance, presented during my solo recital in February 2024.
as I walk past the street…
Explore my original piece for brass quintet and optional percussion, dedicated to an Estonian ensemble, Tuulisbrass.
"as I walk past the street…" is by its nature a simple nocturne that captures the tranquility of a wintry night in my Northern Estonian home village. The piece evokes a peaceful, snowy scene with deserted streets, guiding listeners into a meditative state.
Published by I Brass Music, the composition is available for purchase, perfect for brass quintets seeking a distinctive piece inspired by the breathtaking Estonian nature. Premiered in 2021 and updated in 2024 with a version for Brass Quintet only, this piece has recieved positive recognition in Estonia and Sweden.