Alloy, Bluespeak, Bongo Nation, the Inner City Jazz Workshop and Trip to the Moon are all music performance and recording projects driven by New Zealand jazz and electronic musician Tom Ludvigson
New Zealand jazz and electronic musician Tom Ludvigson is an artist whose experience covers most dimensions of music production: composer, arranger, band leader, performer, record producer, musical director for stage performances, synthesist, session player, teacher. While an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (guitars, basses, saxophones, flutes, percussion, keyboards), in recent years Tom has focussed exclusively on piano and synthesizer keyboards. Tom comes from a musical background that takes in blues, jazz, funk and experimental music. He has performed /recorded with Trip to the Moon with Trevor Reekie, the popular Auckland jazz combo Bluespeak, the Inner City Jazz Workshop, the Jack Morris Big Band, Big Sideways, Low Profile /Elephunk, Rick Bryant's original Jive Bombers, electro-funk band Snap with Graeme Gash, electronic multi-media ensemble Nexus, Alloy (electronic dance) and Bongo Nation. He has also made a number of festival appearances in Auckland and Wellington over the years.
(Photo by Anthea Somerville Shaw)
Tom Ludvigson Film Scores
Keeping it Pure. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a six episode television documentary series about the New Zealand environment, produced by John Bates /Greenstone Pictures, and broadcast on national television (Prime) in February and March 2014.
24 Hours: Police. Composed, recorded and produced music for the soundtrack for a three part television documentary series about policing in Auckland, Oslo, Perth and San Fransisco, produced by Jill Graham for Razor Films, and broadcast on national television (TV3, "Inside New Zealand") in March and April 2011.
50 Years of Television in New Zealand. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a seven episode television documentary series about the history of New Zealand television, produced by John Bates, and broadcast on national television (Prime) in February and June and July 2010.
Christine Hellyar - A Profile. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary series about New Zealand artist Christine Hellyar, produced by John Bates, and broadcast on national television (TV1) in January 2009.
Journeyto Hell. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary about medical trials in Britain that went wrong, produced by John Bates for Cream Television ltd., broadcast in 2009.
Countdown to Disaster: Wahine. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary series about the 1968 Wahine ferry disaster produced by Jill Graham, mr smith tv ltd., broadcast on New Zealand national television (TV1) in April 2008.
Beyond the Darklands. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a six part television documentary series about New Zealand murderers, produced by John Bates for Screentime Productions, broadcast on New Zealand national television in February and March 2008.
Reflections. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary about New Zealand artist Gretchen Albrecht, produced by John Bates for Bates Productions and broadcast in June 2006.
Contemplating the Landscape. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary about New Zealand artist Stanley Palmer, produced by John Bates, broadcast in July 2005.
New Faces Old Fears. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary about racism and immigrants in New Zealand, produced by John Bates and broadcast in May 2004.
Missing Out. Composed (with Trevor Reekie) the soundtrack for a television documentary produced by John Bates, broadcast in May 2004.
Questions 2: Killing Tomorrow. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television drama produced by Ross Jennings, broadcast in November 2001.
1951. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a television documentary produced by John Bates, broadcast in July 2001. THIS DOCUMENTARY WON THE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR AT THE ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND TELEVISION AWARDS 2002.
In Deep Water. Composed and produced the soundtrack for a 45 minute television documentary produced by John Bates for TVNZ, about issues concerning water in New Zealand. Broadcast on TV1 in February 1996.
Sense of Place. Composer of soundtrack for a 40 minute television documentary produced by John Bates about New Zealand photographer Robin Morrison, part of New Zealand on Air "Work of Art" programme series (with Greg Johnson). Released on CD by Ode Records in 1993. THIS DOCUMENTARY WON THE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR AT THE ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND TELEVISION AWARDS 1994.
Tom Ludvigson Discography
• The Invisible Line. Trip to the Moon, 2012, Jazzscorecd002, distributed by Ode Records. Co-composer of all selections, co-producer, keyboards and programming throughout.
• Welcome to the Big Room. Trip to the Moon, 2007, jazzscorecd001, distributed by Ode Records. Co-composer of all selections, co-producer, keyboards and programming throughout.
• Good Vibration. Bongo Nation, 2006, Bongo Nation Recordings, BN 004. Co-omposer, producer, keyboards and percussion throughout.
• Short of Cash. Inner City Jazz Workshop, 2005, Jazzscore Reissues, JR 015. Composer, arranger, piano throughout.
• Intermetallica. Alloy, 2005, Jazzscore Reissues, JR 014. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Intermetallica #5. Alloy, 2005, Subterranean Records, SR 046. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Intermetallica #4. Alloy, 2005, Subterranean Records, SR 045. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Intermetallica #3. Alloy, 2005, Subterranean Records, SR 044. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Intermetallica #2. Alloy, 2005, Subterranean Records, SR 043. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Intermetallica #1. Alloy, 2005, Subterranean Records, SR 042. Composer, producer, keyboards /programming throughout.
• Dr Tutu. Dr Tutu, 2004, The Area. Co-composer and keyboards /programming, tracks 'Aotearoa Not For Sale' and 'Whenua'.
• For My Double. Chris Thompson, Wild Rose Music, April 2004. Piano on track 1 'That's Nice', track 2 'I Like Belinda Carlisle' and track 3 'Just Want to See your Face'.
• NZ Hip Pop - chillout music from Aotearoa. (various artists), ANT042 (5952092), 2003, Antenna Records. Keyboards /programming, co-composer /producer of tracks 3 ‘White Cat’, track 6 ‘Attack of the Killer Melodica’ and track 9 'Mirror Shades' by Trip to the Moon.
• Pretty Cool. Trip [a.k.a. Trip to the Moon], 2003, ANT037 (5427170), Antenna Records. Co-composer of all selections, co-producer, keyboards and programming throughout.
• Mid Summer Nights Collection. (various artists), ANT039 (5800242), 2002. Keyboards /programming, co-composer /producer of tracks 4 ‘Svenska Takter’ and track 12 ‘Pretty Cool’ by Trip to the Moon.
• She Dubs Me, She Dubs Me Not. Dub Asylum, ANT038 (9422068), Antenna Records, 2002. Co-omposer, keyboards, programming and producer of track 2 ‘Mean Streets’ and track 6 ‘She Dubs Me, She Dubs Me Not’.
• The Lounge Collection. Bluespeak jazz quartet, Capitol Records (5406352), 2002. Arranger, co-producer, piano /organ throughout. Co-composer of seven selections.
• Blues for Robin. Tom Ludvigson and Greg Johnson, PACD1143 (5347932), Pagan Records, 2001 (re-issue). Piano throughout, soprano saxophone, slide guitar. Composer of six selections; co-composer of remaining 12 selections.
• Pagan Gold. (various artists), 5335802, Pagan Records/EMI, released 2001. Piano, co-producer and co-composer of track 16 “Late Last Night” by Bluespeak.
• If Licks Could Kill. (various artists), ant0019 (8492062) Virgin, Antenna Records 2000. Composer, keyboards, programming, producer of track 6 ‘So Good’ by Alloy; Keyboards /programming, co-composer /producer of track 2 ‘Catch My Fall (remix)’ and track 9 ‘Kiss the Girls’ by Trip to the Moon.
• Algorhythm 2. (various artists), cdkog1013 Reliable 1 #98492, Kog Transmissions /Reliable Recordings 2000. Co-composer /producer (with Jed Town) of track 12 ‘Sold Two’ by W.
• Reflector. Jedeye, 74321 664842 BMG, Sawtooth Recordings, 1999. Co-composer and producer with Jed Town of track 10 ‘I’m Connected’.
• Dusk. Trip to the Moon, Antenna Records ANT014 (8479072), released October 1999. Co-producer, keyboards throughout. Co-composer of all selections.
• Dark Blue. Bluespeak jazz quartet, Pagan Records (8475782), released April 1999. Arranger, co-producer, piano throughout. Co-composer of ten selections.
• I Can Change. Trip to the Moon, Antenna Records ANT011 (8952452), released September 1998. Co-producer, keyboards throughout. Co-composer of all selections
• Jazz-Hop. A Trip to the Moon, Antenna Records 8572792, released June 1997. Keyboards throughout. Co-composer of all eleven selections. THIS ALBUM WAS NOMINATED AS ONE OF THREE FINALISTS FOR JAZZ RECORD OF THE YEAR AT THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL AWARDS 1998.
• The Drinking Set. Bluespeak jazz quartet, PACD 1129, Pagan Records, released April 1996. Arranger, co-producer, organ throughout.
• The Map of Love. Cosa 2, ANT 002, Antenna Records, released February 1996. Keyboards on “Control Control”, “This Thing of Ours” (remix), and “Lord Bless My Goal”.
• Inside Dancing Only. Inner City Jazz Workshop, CD MANU 1504, Ode Record Company November 1995. Composer, arranger, piano throughout.
• This Thing of Ours. Cosa Nostra, ANT 001, Antenna Records, released May 1995. Organ on “This Thing of Ours”.
• Blues for Robin. Tom Ludvigson and Greg Johnson, CD MANU 1453, ODE Record Company Ltd, released November 1993. Piano throughout, soprano saxophone, slide guitar. Composer of six selections; co-composer of remaining 12 selections.
• Late Last Night. Bluespeak jazz quartet, PACD 1099, Pagan Records, released July 1993. Keyboards throughout. Composer of four selections. THIS ALBUM WAS NOMINATED AS ONE OF THREE FINALISTS FOR JAZZ RECORD OF THE YEAR AT THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL AWARDS 1994.
• Short of Cash. Inner City Jazz Workshop, Impact Music 1993. Composer, arranger, piano throughout.
• Live in Concert. Inner City Jazz Workshop, Replay Radio 9136, 1992. Composer, arranger, piano throughout. THIS ALBUM WAS NOMINATED AS ONE OF THREE FINALISTS FOR JAZZ RECORD OF THE YEAR AT THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL AWARDS 1993.
• The Richard Adams Quartet. Richard Adams Quartet, Ode Records, SODET 063, 1991. Piano throughout.
• Everyday Distortions. The Greg Johnson Set, Pagan Records PAC 1093, 4357934, 1993. Keyboards on "The Sleeping Hour" and "'Cos I Want To".
• Pagan In a Pagan Land. The Greg Johnson Set, Pagan Records PACD 1069, 1991. Keyboards on "The Sleeping Hour".
• Bluespeak. Bluespeak jazz quartet, Ode Records SODET 350, 1990. Piano and producer throughout.
• Sidewalk City. Snap, Mushroom Records X14121, 1984. Keyboards and co-composer.
• When I'm With You! Rick Bryant and the Jive Bombers, Jayrem Records RBJB 001, 1984. Keyboards throughout; composer of "Gotta Have It".
• Elephunk in my Soup. Low Profile, Jayrem Records FR 3, 1984. Keyboards on "Elephunk in my Soup".
• We'll do Our Best (New NZ Bands 1983). Propeller Records L29014 (Rev 209 B), 1983. Keyboards on "Sheep in a Shed" by Double Man.
• Let It Out. Big Sideways, Unsung Records UN 022, 1983. Keyboards on "Let It Out".
Tom Ludvigson Festival Performances
• Waiheke International Jazz Festival 2014. 10 original compositions premiered with the quartet InTransit at the Waiheke International Jazz Festival April 2014.
• “Red Zone Reunion” festival, Dux, Christchurch, performed (with Jed Town, as “ICU”) a one hour live set of original co-compositions, May 2012.
• “Fetus Productions” festival, Kings Arms, Auckland, performed (with Jed Town, as “ICU”) a one hour live set of original co-compositions, November 2011.
• TedEx Warsaw 2010, performed original improvised music on-line (In Auckland with Paul Wertio in Chicago and Krzysztof Ścierański in Warsaw) as the Virtual Virtuosos trio, March 2010. http://talmont.com/2010/03/06/virtual-virtuosos-hit-the-superhighway/
• X-Features at the Powerstation, Auckland January 2009. Keyboards /laptop in group performing original works by Jed Town.
• Karlheinz Company, Auckland October 2008. Part of team staging an original multi-media work by Stephen Matthews.
• New Zealand LaptopBattle, Auckland March 2008. Performed in New Zealand's first laptop-only music competition.
• Co-existence International Exhibition, Auckland March 2006. Performed original works with Bluespeak and Trip to the Moon.
• Version contemporary electronic music festival, Auckland November 2003. Performed original works with Nigel Gavin.
• Waiheke Annual Jazz Festival, Waiheke 1999. Performed with The Bluestars jazz quartet.
• Bay of Islands Jazz Festival, Bay of Islands 1997. Performed with The Squares.
• Queenstown Winter Festival, Queenstown 1996. Performed with Bluespeak.
• Auckland International Jazz Festival, Aotea Centre, Auckland 1993. Performed with Inner City Jazz Workshop, Bluespeak and Ben Holmes Group.
• Waiheke Annual Jazz Festival, Waiheke 1993. Performed with Bluespeak jazz quartet.
• New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Wellington 1992. Performed with Richard Adams' Quartet.
• Southern Comfort Jazz Festival, Mandalay, Auckland 1992. Performed with Richard Adams Quartet.
• Southern Comfort Jazz Festival, Mon Desir, Auckland 1991. Performed with Bluespeak.
• Southern Comfort Jazz Festival, Sheraton Hotel, Auckland 1990. Performed with Bluespeak.
• Short, Sharp and Sweet Jazz Festival, Auckland 1989. Performed with electronic experimental duo Nexus.
• Fringe Festival, Auckland City Art Gallery, 1988. Performed with experimental jazz trio Soundings.
• Off the Deep End II, Experimental Music Festival held in Wellington 1984. Performed with electronic music trio Technorhythm.
• Off the Deep End, Experimental Music Festival held in Wellington 1983. Performed with jazz duo Just Jazz.