Through their performances of original genre defying compositions, and a commitment to improvisation, Los Angeles based Supernova
has established a loyal following in Southern California. Devoted to stretching the boundaries of the string quartet, the group is
redefining the sonic potential of its medium through the use of electronic effects, harmonizers, and looping. The music of Supernova is
reflective of the diverse cultural and artistic backgrounds of its members. Their music freely mixes influences ranging from Beethoven to
Bill Evans, Coltrane to Ravel, Prince to Pat Metheny.
Supernova has recently released its debut album of original arrangements and compositions. It is available at performances, Amoeba
Records in Hollywood, and online at CD Baby.com. To listen to excerpts and purchase the album, click here.
has established a loyal following in Southern California. Devoted to stretching the boundaries of the string quartet, the group is
redefining the sonic potential of its medium through the use of electronic effects, harmonizers, and looping. The music of Supernova is
reflective of the diverse cultural and artistic backgrounds of its members. Their music freely mixes influences ranging from Beethoven to
Bill Evans, Coltrane to Ravel, Prince to Pat Metheny.
Supernova has recently released its debut album of original arrangements and compositions. It is available at performances, Amoeba
Records in Hollywood, and online at CD Baby.com. To listen to excerpts and purchase the album, click here.
| "With a quality and clarity comparable to the Kronos Quartet, Supernova's self-titled album ranges from swinging, slapping jazz numbers to slow, languid ballads to a most clever arrangement of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean," each delivered with absolute care, elegance and obviously, a well-developed sense of wit. Supernova gives new context and accessibility to the quartet ensemble and regularly dives into repertoire as diverse as Coltrane to Prince. Clearly, they take the hybrid quality very seriously, never skimping on artistry. This is an outstanding pick that nimbly straddles genres for discriminating audiences." -CD Baby.com |
 |
 |
Ludvig Girdland - Ludvig was born in Sweden and started playing the violin at the age of
four. At the age of 10 he was accepted to the Gothenburg conservatory where he joined a
program for young talent. By age 15, Ludvig became interested in improvised music and
soon began developing his own musical language with the electric violin. After
performing with many bands during his high school years, Ludvig received a scholarship
to attend The Berklee College of Music. While in Boston, Ludvig honed his skills
performing with such jazz artists as Bob Moses and George Russell, to name a few.
During this period, Ludvig also attended the Henry Mancini institute in Los Angeles,
where he collaborated with such artists as Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Randy Brecker,
Ernie Watts and Dave Grusin. Upon receiving his diploma, Ludvig moved to Los Angeles,
where his uncanny intonation and stylistic flexibility quickly led him to the competitive
studio scene. He can be heard on motion pictures (K-19, Matchstick Men, Something’s
Gotta Give etc), TV shows (Roswell, Once and Again, Miss Match etc) and on hundreds of
commercials (Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Coca Cola, Budweiser, etc.). He has also
been featured on albums with the likes of Macy Gray, Sting, and Sub Bionic, and has had
the opportunity to do session work and perform with artists such as Alex Acuna, Betty
Buckley and Kenny Werner.
four. At the age of 10 he was accepted to the Gothenburg conservatory where he joined a
program for young talent. By age 15, Ludvig became interested in improvised music and
soon began developing his own musical language with the electric violin. After
performing with many bands during his high school years, Ludvig received a scholarship
to attend The Berklee College of Music. While in Boston, Ludvig honed his skills
performing with such jazz artists as Bob Moses and George Russell, to name a few.
During this period, Ludvig also attended the Henry Mancini institute in Los Angeles,
where he collaborated with such artists as Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Randy Brecker,
Ernie Watts and Dave Grusin. Upon receiving his diploma, Ludvig moved to Los Angeles,
where his uncanny intonation and stylistic flexibility quickly led him to the competitive
studio scene. He can be heard on motion pictures (K-19, Matchstick Men, Something’s
Gotta Give etc), TV shows (Roswell, Once and Again, Miss Match etc) and on hundreds of
commercials (Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Coca Cola, Budweiser, etc.). He has also
been featured on albums with the likes of Macy Gray, Sting, and Sub Bionic, and has had
the opportunity to do session work and perform with artists such as Alex Acuna, Betty
Buckley and Kenny Werner.
Ludvig has been active as a touring musician. He was the violinist of Holiday on Ice productions, touring Europe, and playing with
the Cirque du Soleil. In the spring 2003 Ludvig was the violinist for Vanessa Carlton’s band touring Europe with the album, Be Not
Nobody. Ludvig’s latest album “Dialogue” (New Man Music) was released in December 2003 following “Musik” (New Man Music
1998). In Los Angeles, Ludvig performs with the jazz string quartet Supernova. Supernova performs original genre defying
compositions and arrangements in a wide range of idioms utilizing an innovative sonic palette of effects and looping devices.
Ludvig endorses D’Addario Strings and products, SWR amplifiers and LR Baggs pickups.
More information about Ludvig is available on http://www.girdland-neumann.com.
the Cirque du Soleil. In the spring 2003 Ludvig was the violinist for Vanessa Carlton’s band touring Europe with the album, Be Not
Nobody. Ludvig’s latest album “Dialogue” (New Man Music) was released in December 2003 following “Musik” (New Man Music
1998). In Los Angeles, Ludvig performs with the jazz string quartet Supernova. Supernova performs original genre defying
compositions and arrangements in a wide range of idioms utilizing an innovative sonic palette of effects and looping devices.
Ludvig endorses D’Addario Strings and products, SWR amplifiers and LR Baggs pickups.
More information about Ludvig is available on http://www.girdland-neumann.com.
Robert Anderson - A native of Columbia, SC, Robert started taking violin lessons at age 8.
While in high school he helped start a successful rock band which performed locally and
recorded 2 albums. At 18 he was selected to perform in the National High School Honors
Orchestra in Kansas City, MO. In 1996 he continued his violin studies with Ryan Kho,
William Terwilliger, and Donald Portnoy at the University of South Carolina. At the same
time he became actively involved in USC's jazz studies program, performing in combos
and studying composition and arranging with Bert Ligon. While in school he co-founded
the USC Jazz String Ensemble, which performed to great acclaim at the 1998 IAJE
Conference in Anaheim, CA. He studied violin with Jennifer John and Paul Kantor at the
Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, CO. Robert also attended the Henry Mancini Institute at
UCLA in 1999, 2001, and 2002, where his arrangements have been performed.
Robert has arranged music for a wide variety of artists including a Hollywood Bowl
performance with DJ Paul Oakenfold. He has performed with a diverse array of musicians
including Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Mark O’Connor, Darol Anger,
Christian McBride, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Randy Brecker, and Michael Kamen,.
In 2002, his string arrangements of Beatles songs were performed at a private party for
Ozzy Osbourne. He has written arrangements for numerous recording projects.
While in high school he helped start a successful rock band which performed locally and
recorded 2 albums. At 18 he was selected to perform in the National High School Honors
Orchestra in Kansas City, MO. In 1996 he continued his violin studies with Ryan Kho,
William Terwilliger, and Donald Portnoy at the University of South Carolina. At the same
time he became actively involved in USC's jazz studies program, performing in combos
and studying composition and arranging with Bert Ligon. While in school he co-founded
the USC Jazz String Ensemble, which performed to great acclaim at the 1998 IAJE
Conference in Anaheim, CA. He studied violin with Jennifer John and Paul Kantor at the
Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, CO. Robert also attended the Henry Mancini Institute at
UCLA in 1999, 2001, and 2002, where his arrangements have been performed.
Robert has arranged music for a wide variety of artists including a Hollywood Bowl
performance with DJ Paul Oakenfold. He has performed with a diverse array of musicians
including Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Mark O’Connor, Darol Anger,
Christian McBride, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Randy Brecker, and Michael Kamen,.
In 2002, his string arrangements of Beatles songs were performed at a private party for
Ozzy Osbourne. He has written arrangements for numerous recording projects.
Soon after relocating to Los Angeles, Robert helped develop a successful college rock band which gave sold-out performances at well-
known rock venues (Roxy, Whisky) from 2001-2002. His string trio, the Woods-Anderson Trio, has performed original arrangements and
compositions at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. He plays violin throughout the country with About Productions’ “By the Hand of the
Father,” a theater production about immigrants. He is a member of the Dakah hip-hop orchestra, which has performed to acclaim in
Disney Hall, Royce Hall, and at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. In 2004 he was commissioned by the Lexington County (SC)
School District No. 2 to compose music for string orchestra and jazz ensemble to be performed by Anderson and the combined high
school orchestras in March 2004. He continues to compose and arrange music for Supernova String Quartet, which maintains a busy
performance and recording schedule.
known rock venues (Roxy, Whisky) from 2001-2002. His string trio, the Woods-Anderson Trio, has performed original arrangements and
compositions at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. He plays violin throughout the country with About Productions’ “By the Hand of the
Father,” a theater production about immigrants. He is a member of the Dakah hip-hop orchestra, which has performed to acclaim in
Disney Hall, Royce Hall, and at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. In 2004 he was commissioned by the Lexington County (SC)
School District No. 2 to compose music for string orchestra and jazz ensemble to be performed by Anderson and the combined high
school orchestras in March 2004. He continues to compose and arrange music for Supernova String Quartet, which maintains a busy
performance and recording schedule.
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Miguel Atwood-Ferguson was born in Santa Monica,
California in 1980. He began violin at age four and viola at twelve at which time he also
began to compose. He has won the grand prizes for both the KCET African-American
Emerging Artist of the Year (‘97) and the BEEM Foundation Competition (‘00) and has
received scholarships to attend the Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences and the
University of Southern California. Miguel has had the great fortune to collaborate with
many prodigious talents. As a studio musician he has worked with Ray Charles, Ellis
Hall, Dianna Krall, Norah Jones, DMX, Kobe Bryant and has been featured on major
motion pictures. As a jazz soloist Miguel has played with Hubert Laws, Benny Maupin, Billy
Higgins, Buster Williams, Larry Coryell, Henry Grimes, Clay Jenkins, James Newton and
Ndugu Chancler. In orchestral settings Miguel has performed with such greats as Stevie
Wonder, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Emanuel Ax, Lynn Harrell, Midori, Guru, Zubin Mehta, Ray
Brown, James Galway, Abraham Laboriel, Dianne Reeves, Wayne Shorter, Roy Hargrove,
Ron Leonard, Quincy Jones, Roger Norrington, Henry Mancini, Brad Mehldau, John
Williams, and many others. Miguel has also been featured on T.V. playing with Outkast on
the Nickelodeon channel and has had segments devoted to him on KCET and the Disney
channel.
California in 1980. He began violin at age four and viola at twelve at which time he also
began to compose. He has won the grand prizes for both the KCET African-American
Emerging Artist of the Year (‘97) and the BEEM Foundation Competition (‘00) and has
received scholarships to attend the Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences and the
University of Southern California. Miguel has had the great fortune to collaborate with
many prodigious talents. As a studio musician he has worked with Ray Charles, Ellis
Hall, Dianna Krall, Norah Jones, DMX, Kobe Bryant and has been featured on major
motion pictures. As a jazz soloist Miguel has played with Hubert Laws, Benny Maupin, Billy
Higgins, Buster Williams, Larry Coryell, Henry Grimes, Clay Jenkins, James Newton and
Ndugu Chancler. In orchestral settings Miguel has performed with such greats as Stevie
Wonder, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Emanuel Ax, Lynn Harrell, Midori, Guru, Zubin Mehta, Ray
Brown, James Galway, Abraham Laboriel, Dianne Reeves, Wayne Shorter, Roy Hargrove,
Ron Leonard, Quincy Jones, Roger Norrington, Henry Mancini, Brad Mehldau, John
Williams, and many others. Miguel has also been featured on T.V. playing with Outkast on
the Nickelodeon channel and has had segments devoted to him on KCET and the Disney
channel.
He has recently completed a bachelors of Music degree in viola performance with Donald McInnes at U.S.C. and is currently playing
with George Sarah, Leon Ware, the Wild Ginger Philharmonic, Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra, Supernova String Quartet (of which he is a
founding member), and is very active in the studio recording scene. He presently studies viola with Ray Tischer and Keith Barry and
harmony/ orchestration with Patrice Rushen. Miguel also teaches beginning strings at Crossroads Elementary School. His lifetime
dream is to form a World Orchestra that tours the globe playing music of different genres and origins.
with George Sarah, Leon Ware, the Wild Ginger Philharmonic, Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra, Supernova String Quartet (of which he is a
founding member), and is very active in the studio recording scene. He presently studies viola with Ray Tischer and Keith Barry and
harmony/ orchestration with Patrice Rushen. Miguel also teaches beginning strings at Crossroads Elementary School. His lifetime
dream is to form a World Orchestra that tours the globe playing music of different genres and origins.
Jacob Szekely - The son of renowned painter George Szekely, Jacob began his Musical
studies at the age of 3. Upon both parents receiving appointments at the University of
Kentucky, the family moved from New York City to Lexington when Jacob was 5 years old.
Jacob began studying at the University under Professor Benjamin Karp and later was
accepted to the Interlochen Arts Academy for his High School studies. As a supplement to
classical music, growing up in Kentucky provided exposure at an early age to Bluegrass,
folk music, and Blues. Appearing on his first commercial recordings by the age of 15, and
becoming a regular performer at local venues like the Kentucky theater and the
Paramount, Jacob regularly shared the stage with the likes of Joan Baez, Ritchie Havens,
Don McClean, Mark O’Connor, and Michael Jonathon. While Attending Interlochen, Jacob
had his first exposure to jazz studies. After high school, Jacob had the distinct privilege of
being one of just two of over one hundred applicants accepted to study with the legendary
pedagogue Richard Aaron, at the Cleveland Institute of Music. After completion of
undergraduate studies, Jacob moved to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue a Masters degree
with Professor Elenor Schoenfeld at USC. In addition to studio work, Jacob is currently
performing and recording with Supernova, an ensemble dedicated to expanding the
language and possibilities of the string quartet.
studies at the age of 3. Upon both parents receiving appointments at the University of
Kentucky, the family moved from New York City to Lexington when Jacob was 5 years old.
Jacob began studying at the University under Professor Benjamin Karp and later was
accepted to the Interlochen Arts Academy for his High School studies. As a supplement to
classical music, growing up in Kentucky provided exposure at an early age to Bluegrass,
folk music, and Blues. Appearing on his first commercial recordings by the age of 15, and
becoming a regular performer at local venues like the Kentucky theater and the
Paramount, Jacob regularly shared the stage with the likes of Joan Baez, Ritchie Havens,
Don McClean, Mark O’Connor, and Michael Jonathon. While Attending Interlochen, Jacob
had his first exposure to jazz studies. After high school, Jacob had the distinct privilege of
being one of just two of over one hundred applicants accepted to study with the legendary
pedagogue Richard Aaron, at the Cleveland Institute of Music. After completion of
undergraduate studies, Jacob moved to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue a Masters degree
with Professor Elenor Schoenfeld at USC. In addition to studio work, Jacob is currently
performing and recording with Supernova, an ensemble dedicated to expanding the
language and possibilities of the string quartet.
 |
