miro

Miroslav Ludvik was born in Czech republic back in fifties when it was still under the communist regime. At the age of 11 he was smitten by the image on the TV screen: it was Pete Seeger, playing 5-sting banjo and 12-string guitar.

He knew then what he wanted to do. There were no instruments like that around, not to mention any formal musical instruction. His brother bought him a tenor banjo and he learned best he could by listening to records. Later, when he was able to work and made some money he had instruments hand made. That was at high-school and collage. There he co-founded and played in folk and bluegrass bands, for which he started to write original songs. This era culminated in some recordings for radio stations and couple of shows for students, army, and New Years celebrations. Following an unspoken message of Pete Seeger, to sing songs that truly reflect feelings of common people, he inevitably ran in to a problem within communist establishment. That led him to believe, that one could not make a living and support his family under such conditions. So he vowed he will play only for the asking, and for friends, while occasionally playing as a guest of more established folk singers. The restoration of churches and historical buildings in Prague was Miro's other passion, for which he was trained in art-school as a sculptor and stone-carver, which was his means of support. Today his skills still serve his passion. Miro also studied anthropology at Charles University in Prague.

Upon urging of his wife at that time, he agreed to leave Czech republic in 1981. Miro's penchant for Anglo-American culture inspired his conscientious decision leave the land he loved, and head for the U.S.

Arriving with very little knowledge of English language he worked in quarries, coal mines and as a marble setter. Studying at collage of Eastern Utah in Price, then at the University of Texas Miro's grip on English improved. Everywhere Miro went there was his music, with a local teacher's band in Price, UT or a Czech community band in Houston, TX. After moving back to New York City Miro worked on restoration projects as a union member [Statue of Liberty] or on his own [Vanderbilt mansion] to name just two. Around year 1996 while on a project in Martha's Vineyard Miro broke two fingers of his left hand and that prompted his decision to start performing music more seriously “while I can”. His fingers healed bent down to a fret-board , so far so good.

50 Songs later, Miro is still writing and performing many English and some Czech originals. His strength derives from his long personal history and passions.

In his song writing, Miro is greatly inspired and assisted by his wife and often collaborator, Marlene Tartaglione. They met when Miro was invited by Frederick Franck to a conference called The Sacred in the Arts, an event at the Cathedral of St. John the Devinne, where Dr. Franck was speaking, and Marlena was showing selection of her poetic collages. With master degree in children's literature, many poems published, steeped in folklore, she is his link to American culture.