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{{Short description|American trumpeter (born 1990)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Spencer Ludwig
| name = Spencer Ludwig
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| image = Josh Stevens and Spencer Ludwig of Capital Cities writing at Studio City Sound, Ca 2015.JPG
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| image_size =
| caption = Josh Stevens and Spencer Ludwig, ca. 2015
| birth_name = Spencer Ludwig
| background = solo_singer
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|6|24|df=yes}}
| birth_name =
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1990|6|24|df=yes}}
| origin =
| birth_place =
| genre =
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| occupation = Trumpeter, songwriter, producer
| genre =
| instrument = Trumpet, vocals
| occupation =
| years_active = 2011–present
| instrument = Trumpet, vocals, keyboard
| label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]], Trumpet Records
| current_member_of = {{Capital Cities}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.spencerludwig.com/|SpencerLudwig.com}}
| image = Photo By Alec Ilstrup.jpg
| associated_acts = [[Capital Cities (band)|Capital Cities]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.spencerludwig.com/|SpencerLudwig.com}}
}}
}}


'''Spencer Ludwig''' (born 24 June 1990) is an American trumpeter, singer, songwriter and producer from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States. He is an independent solo artist distributed by Kobalt/ AWAL, Ludwig is a former member of the band [[Capital Cities (band)|Capital Cities]]. He recorded on their platinum debut album ''[[In a Tidal Wave of Mystery]]'' and toured with them from 2012 to 2015. He has also performed with, [[Foster the People]], [[Portugal. The Man]], [[Fitz and the Tantrums]], [[RAC (DJ)|RAC]], [[St. Lucia (musician)|St. Lucia]], [[Cherub (musical duo)|Cherub]], [[Holychild|HOLYCHILD]] and [[The Wailers Band|The Wailers]]. In 2018 he formed his own record label called Trumpet Records.
'''Spencer Ludwig''' (born 24 June 1990) is an American trumpeter, singer, songwriter, producer and musical director from [[Los Angeles]], California. The former trumpet player for the band [[Capital Cities (band)|Capital Cities]], he recorded on their debut album ''[[In a Tidal Wave of Mystery]]'' and toured with them from 2011 to 2015. He has also performed with [[Harry Styles]], [[Dua Lipa]], [[Gallant (singer)|Gallant]], [[Mike Posner]], [[Foster the People]], [[Portugal. The Man]], [[Fitz and the Tantrums]], [[RAC (DJ)|RAC]], [[Joywave]], [[St. Lucia (musician)|St. Lucia]], [[Cherub (musical duo)|Cherub]], and [[The Wailers Band|The Wailers]]. In 2018, he went independent and formed his own label, Trumpet Records.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spencer Ludwig - About|url=https://spencerludwig.com/about|access-date=2021-02-14|website=spencerludwig.com}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Ludwig is the son of a [[Philippines|Filipino]] mother and a [[Russian-Jewish]] father. He grew up in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="jamFeed">{{cite news|last1=Church|first1=Yunus|title=Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/03/artist-spotlight-spencer-ludwig/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Jam Feed|date=20 March 2015}}</ref> He attended [[Oakwood School (Los Angeles)|Oakwood School]] and began playing [[saxophone]] in the fourth grade due to his school's support for performing arts.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit">{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Daniel|title=Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns|url=http://gainesvillescene.com/2013/11/15/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-takes-life-by-the-horns/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Gainesville Scene|date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Ludwig grew fond of jazz music and performed in the school's jazz band during his middle school years.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/>
Ludwig is the son of a Filipino mother and a [[Russian-Jewish]] father. He grew up in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="jamFeed">{{cite news|last1=Church|first1=Yunus|title=Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/03/artist-spotlight-spencer-ludwig/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Jam Feed|date=20 March 2015}}</ref> He attended [[Oakwood School (Los Angeles)|Oakwood School]] and began playing saxophone in the fourth grade due to his school's support for performing arts.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit">{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Daniel|title=Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns|url=http://gainesvillescene.com/2013/11/15/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-takes-life-by-the-horns/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Gainesville Scene|date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Ludwig grew fond of jazz music and performed in the school's jazz band during his middle school years.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/>


Ludwig learned to play the [[french horn]] in high school but decided to apply to college as a trumpet player.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He started off by teaching himself how to play the trumpet going into his senior year of high school.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He recorded and sent audition CDs to various schools. He was accepted to [[California Institute of the Arts]] where he studied jazz.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He supported his way through school by playing with local bands from Los Angeles and teaching trumpet part-time at his former high school.<ref name="jamFeed"/>
Ludwig learned to play the [[French horn]] in high school but decided to apply to college as a trumpet player.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He started off by teaching himself how to play the trumpet going into his senior year of high school.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He was accepted to [[California Institute of the Arts]] where he studied jazz.<ref name="GainsevillScheeLudwit"/> He supported his way through school by playing with local bands from Los Angeles and teaching trumpet part-time at his former high school.<ref name="jamFeed"/>


==Career==
==Career==
Ludwig was part of the local Los Angeles music scene, performing with numerous bands.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Church|first1=Yunus|title=Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/03/artist-spotlight-spencer-ludwig/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Jam Feed|date=20 March 2015}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> He began performing while in college, forming a cover band with friends that graduated from Oakwood School a few years before him.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Daniel|title=Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns|url=http://gainesvillescene.com/2013/11/15/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-takes-life-by-the-horns/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Gainesville Scene|date=15 October 2013}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #2 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> It was in 2011 that Ludwig got his break with Capital Cities.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Daniel|title=Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns|url=http://gainesvillescene.com/2013/11/15/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-takes-life-by-the-horns/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Gainesville Scene|date=15 October 2013}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #2 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref>
[[File:Josh Stevens and Spencer Ludwig of Capital Cities writing at Studio City Sound, Ca 2015.JPG|thumb|Spencer Ludwig and Josh Stevens writing at Studio City Sound, California in 2015.]]
Ludwig was part of the local Los Angeles music scene, performing with numerous bands.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-jamFeed-1|<sup>[1]</sup>]] He began performing while in college, forming a cover band with friends that graduated from Oakwood School a few years before him.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-GainsevillScheeLudwit-2|<sup>[2]</sup>]] It was in 2012 that Ludwig got his break with a major band.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-GainsevillScheeLudwit-2|<sup>[2]</sup>]]


While playing at a local music festival with a band called Sister Rogers in 2011, Capital Cities band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian watched him perform, later asking him to join the group as its trumpet player.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Church|first1=Yunus|title=Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/03/artist-spotlight-spencer-ludwig/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Jam Feed|date=20 March 2015}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Daniel|title=Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns|url=http://gainesvillescene.com/2013/11/15/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-takes-life-by-the-horns/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Gainesville Scene|date=15 October 2013}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #2 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> Ludwig shifted his focus to solely playing with the band and recorded and toured with them for the next four years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Church|first1=Yunus|title=Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig|url=http://www.jamfeed.com/news/2015/03/artist-spotlight-spencer-ludwig/|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Jam Feed|date=20 March 2015}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> He recorded trumpet on the group's platinum debut album, ''[[In a Tidal Wave of Mystery]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diez imperdibles del Lollapalooza 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com.ar/1676187-diez-imperdibles-del-lollapalooza-2014|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=31 March 2014}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref>
While playing a local music festival with a band called Sister Rogers in 2012, Capital Cities band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian watched him perform, later asking him to join the group as its trumpet player.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-jamFeed-1|<sup>[1]</sup>]][[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-GainsevillScheeLudwit-2|<sup>[2]</sup>]] Ludwig shifted his focus to solely playing trumpet and recorded and toured with the group for the next three years.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-jamFeed-1|<sup>[1]</sup>]] He recorded trumpet on the group's platinum debut album [[In a Tidal Wave of Mystery]].[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-3|<sup>[3]</sup>]]


In 2015 Ludwig signed a deal with [[Warner Bros. Records]] as a solo artist.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-NYTimeCptcities-4|<sup>[4]</sup>]] In July 2016 he released his first two singles ''Diggy'' and ''Right Into U''.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-7|<sup>[7]</sup>]] The song "Diggy" was featured in Target's fall style TV spot, which premiered on September 14, 2016.[[Spencer Ludwig#cite note-8|<sup>[8]</sup>]] "Diggy" also appeared in the video game ''[[Just Dance 2018]]''. In 2018 Ludwig left Warner Bros. Records to pursue a career as an independent artist. In March 2018 he released his first single as an independent artist "Just Wanna Dance" and recently he collaborated with five-time Latin Grammy winner [[Fonseca (singer)|Fonseca]] on a new single called "Por Pura Curiosidad".
In 2015, Ludwig signed a record deal with [[Warner Bros. Records]] as a solo artist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishan|first1=Ligaya|title=Capital Cities' Spencer Ludwig Sings the Praises of the Lowly Wooden Spoon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/dining/capital-cities-spencer-ludwig-wooden-spoon.html?_r=0|accessdate=11 August 2016|work=The New York Times|date=13 July 2015}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #4 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> In July 2016, he released his first two singles "Diggy" and "Right Into U".<ref>{{cite news|title=Spencer Ludwig Gets You Moving With Diggy & Right Into U|url=http://www.warnerbrosrecords.com/news/spencer-ludwig-gets-you-moving-diggy-right-u-27911|accessdate=11 August 2016|publisher=Warner Bros. Records|date=22 July 2016}} {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #7 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> The song "Diggy" was featured in Target's fall style TV campaign, which premiered on September 14, 2016.<ref>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Spencer-Ludwig-Releases-Diggy-Appears-in-Fall-TV-Spot-20160919 Spencer Ludwig Releases 'Diggy' + Appears in Fall TV Spot<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{verify source |date=September 2023 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/834258446 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/833916861 cite #8 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC_bot/Job_18]]}}</ref> "Diggy" also appeared in the feature film, ''Happy Death Day'',<ref>{{Citation|title=Happy Death Day (2017) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5308322/soundtrack|access-date=2021-02-16}}</ref> and the video game ''[[Just Dance 2018]]''. In 2018 Ludwig left Warner Bros. Records to pursue a career as an independent artist and to form his own record label, Trumpet Records. In March 2018, he released his first single as an independent artist "Just Wanna Dance" and he collaborated with five-time Latin Grammy winner [[Fonseca (singer)|Fonseca]] on his song "Por Pura Curiosidad",{{CN|date=May 2023}} which was featured on his album ''[[:es:Agustín (álbum)|Agustín]]'' and earned a Latin Grammy in 2019 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Latin GRAMMYs|url=https://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees/search?artist=%22Fonseca%22&field_nominee_work_value=agustin&year=All&genre=All|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Latin GRAMMYs|language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, in front of 46,556 fans, he performed the national anthem on trumpet at the [[2017 NHL Winter Classic]] at [[Busch Stadium]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri]] featuring the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] and [[St. Louis Blues]] (a first for the Winter Classic). That same year he became the official band leader and musical director for the annual [[NFL Honors|NFL Honors Awards]] and in 2021 he became the musical director for the [[ESPY Award|ESPY Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-08|title=Presenters and Attendees Announced for The 2021 ESPYS Hosted by Anthony Mackie this Saturday on ABC|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/07/presenters-and-attendees-announced-for-the-2021-espys-hosted-by-anthony-mackie-this-saturday-on-abc/|access-date=2021-07-14|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Singles===
===Solo releases===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!Album
|-
| rowspan="5" |2016
|"Diggy"
| rowspan="16" |Non-album singles
|-
|"Right into You"
|-
|"Midnight Special"
|-
|"Good Time People"
|-
|"Diggy" feat. Sofia Reyes
|-
| rowspan="3" |2017
|"Fuel to the Fire"
|-
|"Legend"
|-
|"Got Me Like"
|-
| rowspan="4" |2018
|"My Trumpet" feat. MC Davo
|-
|"Honeymoon"
|-
|"Just Wanna Dance"
|-
|"Watch Me Walk"
|-
| rowspan="4" |2019
|"Best Life"
|-
|"Jungle in Me"
|-
|"My Nature" feat. Zak Downtown
|-
|"Brand New"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2021
|"From the Vault (Instrumental)"
| rowspan="2" | ''From the Vault''
|-
|"From the Vault"
|}

=== Songwriting, recording and production credits ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Artist
!Album
!Credit<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Spencer Ludwig {{!}} Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/spencer-ludwig-mn0002683319/credits|access-date=2021-02-16|website=AllMusic|language=en}}</ref>
!Certifications
|-
|2011
|[[The Belle Brigade]]
|''[[The Belle Brigade (album)|The Belle Brigade]]''
|Flugelhorn
|
|-
|2013
|[[Capital Cities (band)|Capital Cities]]
|''[[In a Tidal Wave of Mystery]]''
|Trumpet
|RIAA: Platinum<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |2015
|[[Never Shout Never]]
|''[[Black Cat (Never Shout Never album)|Black Cat]]''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|[[Iration]]
|''Hotting Up''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|[[Wale (rapper)|Wale]]
|''[[The Album About Nothing]]''
|Trumpet
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2017
|[[Magic Giant]]
|''In the Wind''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|[[Sofia Reyes]]
|''[[Louder!]]''
|Trumpet, songwriter, featured artist
|RIAA: Gold<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dua Lipa]]
|''[[Live Acoustic (Dua Lipa EP)|Live Acoustic EP]]''
|Trumpet
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |2018
|[[Fonseca (singer)|Fonseca]]
|''Agustîn''
|Trumpet, songwriter, producer, featured artist
|
|-
|Wingtip
|''Ghosts of Youth''
|Trumpet, songwriter
|
|-
|[[Kuuro|KUURO]]
|''What U Wanna Do''
|Songwriter, featured artist{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
|
|-
|[[Mini Mansions]]
|''Flashbacks: A Collection of B-sides from the Great Pretenders''
|Trumpet{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
|
|-
|2019
|[[Syn Cole]]
|''Cool with That''
|Songwriter{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2020
|[[Too Many Zooz]]
|''Make Room''
|Songwriter, featured artist{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
|
|-
|Various artists
|''100 Greatest Covers''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|Spencer Zahn
|''Sunday Painter''
|Trumpet
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
|Fitz
|''Head Up High''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|[[Aloe Blacc]]
|''Made from the Stars''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|Various artists
|''Despertar Contento''
|Trumpet
|
|-
|
|[[Sofía Reyes|Sofia Reyes]]
|''Más''
|Trumpet, songwriter, producer
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2022
|[[Kill the Noise]]
|''EMBRACE''
|Trumpet, featured artist
|
|-
|Jaded
|''Can You Feel It''
|Trumpet, songwriter
|
|-
|[[Harm & Ease]], [[Fefe Dobson]]
|''Lemonade''
|Trumpet, songwriter
|
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" |2023
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title
|[[Travis Scott]]
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year
|''[[Utopia (Travis Scott album)|Utopia]]''
! scope="col"| Album
|Trumpet
|
|-
|-
|[[Boy in Space]]
! scope="row"| "Right Into U"
|''Ciao''
| rowspan="3"| 2016
|Trumpet, songwriter, producer
| rowspan="3" {{N/A|Non-album singles}}
|
|-
|-
|[[Pigeon John]]
! scope="row"| "Diggy"
|''Step On Out''
|Trumpet, songwriter, producer
|
|-
|-
|Galxara
! scope="row"| "Good Time People"
|''Umami''
|Trumpet, songwriter, producer
|
|}
|}


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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[[Category:American trumpeters]]
[[Category:American trumpeters]]
[[Category:American male trumpeters]]
[[Category:American male trumpeters]]
[[Category:American musicians of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:California Institute of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:California Institute of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Musicians from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Musicians from Los Angeles]]

Latest revision as of 18:55, 5 August 2024

Spencer Ludwig
Background information
Birth nameSpencer Ludwig
Born (1990-06-24) 24 June 1990 (age 34)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Trumpeter, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Trumpet, vocals
Years active2011–present
LabelsWarner Bros., Trumpet Records
Member of
WebsiteSpencerLudwig.com

Spencer Ludwig (born 24 June 1990) is an American trumpeter, singer, songwriter, producer and musical director from Los Angeles, California. The former trumpet player for the band Capital Cities, he recorded on their debut album In a Tidal Wave of Mystery and toured with them from 2011 to 2015. He has also performed with Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Gallant, Mike Posner, Foster the People, Portugal. The Man, Fitz and the Tantrums, RAC, Joywave, St. Lucia, Cherub, and The Wailers. In 2018, he went independent and formed his own label, Trumpet Records.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Ludwig is the son of a Filipino mother and a Russian-Jewish father. He grew up in Los Angeles, California.[2] He attended Oakwood School and began playing saxophone in the fourth grade due to his school's support for performing arts.[3] Ludwig grew fond of jazz music and performed in the school's jazz band during his middle school years.[3]

Ludwig learned to play the French horn in high school but decided to apply to college as a trumpet player.[3] He started off by teaching himself how to play the trumpet going into his senior year of high school.[3] He was accepted to California Institute of the Arts where he studied jazz.[3] He supported his way through school by playing with local bands from Los Angeles and teaching trumpet part-time at his former high school.[2]

Career

[edit]

Ludwig was part of the local Los Angeles music scene, performing with numerous bands.[4] He began performing while in college, forming a cover band with friends that graduated from Oakwood School a few years before him.[5] It was in 2011 that Ludwig got his break with Capital Cities.[6]

While playing at a local music festival with a band called Sister Rogers in 2011, Capital Cities band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian watched him perform, later asking him to join the group as its trumpet player.[7][8] Ludwig shifted his focus to solely playing with the band and recorded and toured with them for the next four years.[9] He recorded trumpet on the group's platinum debut album, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery.[10]

In 2015, Ludwig signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist.[11] In July 2016, he released his first two singles "Diggy" and "Right Into U".[12] The song "Diggy" was featured in Target's fall style TV campaign, which premiered on September 14, 2016.[13] "Diggy" also appeared in the feature film, Happy Death Day,[14] and the video game Just Dance 2018. In 2018 Ludwig left Warner Bros. Records to pursue a career as an independent artist and to form his own record label, Trumpet Records. In March 2018, he released his first single as an independent artist "Just Wanna Dance" and he collaborated with five-time Latin Grammy winner Fonseca on his song "Por Pura Curiosidad",[citation needed] which was featured on his album Agustín and earned a Latin Grammy in 2019 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.[15]

In 2017, in front of 46,556 fans, he performed the national anthem on trumpet at the 2017 NHL Winter Classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues (a first for the Winter Classic). That same year he became the official band leader and musical director for the annual NFL Honors Awards and in 2021 he became the musical director for the ESPY Awards.[16]

Discography

[edit]

Solo releases

[edit]
Year Title Album
2016 "Diggy" Non-album singles
"Right into You"
"Midnight Special"
"Good Time People"
"Diggy" feat. Sofia Reyes
2017 "Fuel to the Fire"
"Legend"
"Got Me Like"
2018 "My Trumpet" feat. MC Davo
"Honeymoon"
"Just Wanna Dance"
"Watch Me Walk"
2019 "Best Life"
"Jungle in Me"
"My Nature" feat. Zak Downtown
"Brand New"
2021 "From the Vault (Instrumental)" From the Vault
"From the Vault"

Songwriting, recording and production credits

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Year Artist Album Credit[17] Certifications
2011 The Belle Brigade The Belle Brigade Flugelhorn
2013 Capital Cities In a Tidal Wave of Mystery Trumpet RIAA: Platinum[18]
2015 Never Shout Never Black Cat Trumpet
Iration Hotting Up Trumpet
Wale The Album About Nothing Trumpet
2017 Magic Giant In the Wind Trumpet
Sofia Reyes Louder! Trumpet, songwriter, featured artist RIAA: Gold[19]
Dua Lipa Live Acoustic EP Trumpet
2018 Fonseca Agustîn Trumpet, songwriter, producer, featured artist
Wingtip Ghosts of Youth Trumpet, songwriter
KUURO What U Wanna Do Songwriter, featured artist[citation needed]
Mini Mansions Flashbacks: A Collection of B-sides from the Great Pretenders Trumpet[citation needed]
2019 Syn Cole Cool with That Songwriter[citation needed]
2020 Too Many Zooz Make Room Songwriter, featured artist[citation needed]
Various artists 100 Greatest Covers Trumpet
Spencer Zahn Sunday Painter Trumpet
2021 Fitz Head Up High Trumpet
Aloe Blacc Made from the Stars Trumpet
Various artists Despertar Contento Trumpet
Sofia Reyes Más Trumpet, songwriter, producer
2022 Kill the Noise EMBRACE Trumpet, featured artist
Jaded Can You Feel It Trumpet, songwriter
Harm & Ease, Fefe Dobson Lemonade Trumpet, songwriter
2023 Travis Scott Utopia Trumpet
Boy in Space Ciao Trumpet, songwriter, producer
Pigeon John Step On Out Trumpet, songwriter, producer
Galxara Umami Trumpet, songwriter, producer

References

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  1. ^ "Spencer Ludwig - About". spencerludwig.com. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  2. ^ a b Church, Yunus (20 March 2015). "Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig". Jam Feed. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e Harrison, Daniel (15 October 2013). "Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns". Gainesville Scene. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  4. ^ Church, Yunus (20 March 2015). "Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig". Jam Feed. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  5. ^ Harrison, Daniel (15 October 2013). "Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns". Gainesville Scene. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  6. ^ Harrison, Daniel (15 October 2013). "Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns". Gainesville Scene. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  7. ^ Church, Yunus (20 March 2015). "Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig". Jam Feed. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  8. ^ Harrison, Daniel (15 October 2013). "Spencer Ludwig Takes Life By The Horns". Gainesville Scene. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  9. ^ Church, Yunus (20 March 2015). "Artist Spotlight: Spencer Ludwig". Jam Feed. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  10. ^ "Diez imperdibles del Lollapalooza 2014". Rolling Stone. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  11. ^ Mishan, Ligaya (13 July 2015). "Capital Cities' Spencer Ludwig Sings the Praises of the Lowly Wooden Spoon". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  12. ^ "Spencer Ludwig Gets You Moving With Diggy & Right Into U". Warner Bros. Records. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016. [verification needed]
  13. ^ Spencer Ludwig Releases 'Diggy' + Appears in Fall TV Spot [verification needed]
  14. ^ Happy Death Day (2017) - IMDb, retrieved 2021-02-16
  15. ^ "Latin GRAMMYs". Latin GRAMMYs. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  16. ^ "Presenters and Attendees Announced for The 2021 ESPYS Hosted by Anthony Mackie this Saturday on ABC". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  17. ^ "Spencer Ludwig | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  18. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  19. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
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