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.