Katrina Evacuee Reflects on Life in LR, on Hurricane Isaac
By: Adam Rodriguez
Updated: September 13, 2012
Life is good for Ted Ludwig in Little Rock.
"I'm a pretty gregarious and happy guy, and that reflects on my music," Ludwig said.
The jazz guitar player has a gig nearly every night of the week, stays busy teaching, and will soon be married to his better half- a classic violinist.
But New Orleans is never far from Ludwig's mind. He and his family fled from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, leaving everything behind.
"It's been seven years," Ludwig said. "We got about 17, 18 feet of water."
Ludwig says his family lost everything, and his home literally floated away.
"It was wrapped in visqueen, to keep moisture from going through," Ludwig said. "The whole house just floated, the water came up so quick."
The musician landed in Little Rock, and was basically biding his time when he found his sound.
"I learned how to play jazz in New Orleans," Ludwig said. "But I kind of discovered myself in Little Rock."
Now, seven years after the storm, Ludwig isn't all that worried with Isaac rolling into the Gulf Coast. He is concerned, however, about family members that refuse to leave.
"And I'm thinking, come on? are you crazy?" Ludwig said.
Lenore McIntyre, Ludwig's fiance, says it's tough for him to be away from New Orleans, the heart of his sound.
"I am still a New Orleanean all the way to my bones," Ludwig said.
But now his soul has taken root in Little Rock.
"It makes me glad I'm up here. It makes me realize I don't have to run anymore," Ludwig said.
The Ted Ludwig Trio plays at Little Rock's Capital Hotel Bar and Grill Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 in the evening, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 to midnight.
