My Musical CV. 1970's
Member of quartet
Vyrkhovyna, Luton Based Ukrainian folk group.
1980's
Accordionist with Reading based "Metelyk" Ukrainian
dance ensemble, veterans of European international folk festivals.
1990's
Waltham Cross based "Zhnyva" Ukrainian dance &
function band.
Original line up accordionist and co-writer with
one time John Peel favourites, Wedding Present spin off, The
Ukrainains.
2000's
Music for BBC TV Football programme hosted by Mark
Wright "Row Z".
Music for London theatre, Frederic Molnars
"Husbands and Lovers", London City Lit.
Bass singer in Ukrainian
male voice choir “Bulava”directed by international opera star Pawlo
Hunka Bulava for their first tour "Vyrkhovyna".
2007, sessioning on accordion for Welsh Folk Rockers Here be
Dragons incuding a few gigs in Italy and Chicago USA for their US TV debut.
Session work on:
The Bishop of Buffalo, Rev Hammer, produced by Justin Sullivan,
New Model army.
The Bridewell Taxis's release "Cage" produced by
Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera.
Accordion on NY Ukrainian duets
"Darka and Slavko" last release.
Accordion on latest release "Elvis Lives Here", by
The Swagger Band featuring Swill (Phil Odgers) also of The Men They Couldn't
Hang.
English translations of Orange Revolution hit, Ya Patriot,
and "Children of Orange" by Ukrainian artist Lessia
Horova (Atlantic Records).
Cd's since "The Ukrainians"
Ludwig's Eclectic Collection:
15 tracks varying in lyrical content from serious to light
hearted, and in musical styles from Ska, Latino/Jazz, & dance
through to Rock, Reggae, Swing & Township rhythm. The first
three tracks are re-interpretations of traditional Ukrainian folk
songs, two of which are sung in Ukrainian, and the rest are original
compositions sung in English, some of which are about Ukrainian
themes, such as "Song for Yuriy Shukhevich" and "Refugee Nation".
The CD is exactly what it says it is, very eclectic. There is even a
Bavarian style beer drinking song on it!
"Rokovyny" (Anniversaries)
Debut Cd of new musical collective produced by US Hollywood and
Canadian Music Industry award winner Roman Klun. 10 Ukrainian tracks
given a different treatment, ranging from dynamic to melancholy.
Orange Revolution
A collection of songs relating to Ukraine’s struggle for
independence and events as they unfolded at the time of the Orange
Revolution, including English mix of Razom Nas Bahato, Greenjolly’s
Revolution rap anthem and Eurovision song contest entry.
It was suggested I do an English translation by above mentioned Lessia Horova, friend of Greenjolly.
And since then, in keeping with environmentally friendly thinking, releases as provided above via iTunes.
Not doing CD's saves plastic!
A short musical life biog.
My Ukrainian Dad bought me an accordion when I was nine years old
and got me involved with the music scene in the British Ukrainian
community, and my musical tuition was helped along by my Irish Mum,
an accomplished fiddle player. In typical Irish tradition, our
family band comprised of my Mother on fiddle, sister Mariyka on
guitar, and myself on accordion playing Irish and Ukrainian music.
My sister Mariyka and I also used to played in a folk group
representing Luton's Ukrainian community called Verkhovyna, once a
favourite at Luton's bank holiday festivities. My Mother comes from
a musical family. Her cousin was the late Eddie Rabbit, the
Irish/American Country & Western singer who wrote "Every which
way but loose" for the Clint Eastwood film featuring an Orangutan
ape, and also "Kentucky Rain" made famous by Elvis Presley.
