Faroese Jazz Bassist Arnold Ludvig Talks Live @ Maggies '18, Career & Nordic Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Faroe Islands-based jazz bassist and composer Arnold Ludvig. We caught up with Arnold to discuss the 2025 release of his quintet album Live @ Maggies '18, his remarkable journey through the music world, and winning the 2026 Faroese Music Award for Special Release of the Year. This powerful live recording documents music Arnold Ludvig composed across different chapters of his life, with songs written between 1993 and 2014 in Reykjavik, Montreal, Copenhagen, and Torshavn. The album beautifully weaves together Celtic folk traditions, modern Nordic jazz, blues influences, and African-American jazz into a deeply personal and expansive musical statement. A bassist since 1980 and composer since 1991, Arnold has spent decades developing a distinctive sound rooted in storytelling, atmosphere, improvisation, and cultural connection. His music reflects the landscapes and experiences of the Faroe Islands while embracing the broader global traditions of jazz and folk music. In this interview, we discuss composition, Nordic jazz, live performance, bass playing, jazz improvisation, European jazz culture, blues influence, the Faroese music scene, and the inspiration behind Live @ Maggies '18. It’s a stellar musical journey full of wisdom, artistry, and global perspective. Dig this interview. Get music & more: https://arnoldludvig.com/ https://www.tutlrecords.com/ For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/ Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2 The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/ Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.