Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ted Ludwig: Stand Up

10

Ted Ludwig: Stand Up

By

Sign in to view read count
Ted Ludwig: Stand Up
New Orleans guitarist Ted Ludwig came to Little Rock as part of the Hurricane Katrina diaspora. NOLA's loss has been Little Rock's gain since Ludwig and his fine trio took up residence in the city's famous Capitol Hotel Bar & Grill seven years ago. Before turning professional, Ludwig studied with NOLA luminaries Ellis Marsalis, Harold Baptiste and Steve Masakowski (father of vocalist Sasha Masakowski). Cliché it may sound, but music is in Ludwig's bones (Jeremiah 20:9, if you are so inclined) and at his relatively young age, he is a seasoned band leader.

Ludwig's genius is in his comp chording. As impressive has his single note chops are, and he can flat burn, his chording is more exact and precise and orderly than Joe Pass's even when Pass slowed down. Listen to Ludwig behind pianist Mike Pellera on John Coltrane's "Impressions," one of the two "standards" on the recording. He is rhythmically and metrically perfect. He is the definition of swing.

A discussion of individual pieces on this recital is really un-necessary. Ludwig's jazz is a carefully distilled product, like the finest Gin, where rare botanicals are infused into the overall product that ends is a basic essence, a scent. That is what Ludwig's music is like: so familiar, amiable, and accomplished. The guitarist I would compare him to is either Mark Elf, who is more verbose or Herb Ellis who is more downhome. To talk to Ludwig is to understand his music. He is a young man who speaks with an integrated NOLA patois, one that perfectly frames his art.

Of special note, this disc is dedicated to its bassist, Joe Cripps, who passed away shortly after being inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame. His steady, on-the-note, beat is missed.

Track Listing

Stand Up; Impressions; Minor Adjustment; Astral Blue; Lenore’s Smile; Boliva; Tractology; Unleashed.

Personnel

Ted Ludwig
guitar

Ted Ludwig: guitar; Mike Pellera: piano; Joe Cripps: bass; Brian Brown: drums.

Album information

Title: Stand Up | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags

Concerts


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.