Final Descent Presents: Akira.Drums & Aurelijus Užameckis (JP/LT) + J. Ludvig III (DK) //CPHJAZZ

Artist in Residence 2025: An afternoon of experimental drumming

This year, the Final Descent Artist in Residence program is proud to present three extraordinary musicians from Japan. Intertwining their cultural upbringing with free improvisation, extended techniques, and cross-aesthetic experimentation, they each offer a unique take on recontextualized Japanese music—ranging from hypnotic minimalism and electro-acoustic folk to avant-garde and spiritual jazz.

Experience Okinawan drummer Akira Nakamura and his hypnotic, minimalist solo setup under the moniker Akira.Drums in an improvised collaboration with Lithuanian bassist Aurelijus Užameckis. After that J. Ludvig III will take on the stage with their hypermixture of handplayed drum'n'bass, emo and R'n'B.

Akira.Drums (akira dot drums)

Akira Nakamura’s solo project akira.drums, from Okinawa, blends minimalist visuals with extended, hypnotic rhythmic progressions. With roots in jazz and electronica, and inspired by Steve Reich, Japanese folk music, and krautrock, he creates rhythmically complex soundscapes that, when combined with sleek graphic visuals and layers of electronic noise, form a captivating and mesmerizing experience.

He has lived and studied in both Berlin and New York, influences that are clearly reflected in Nakamura’s music, where references to both Berghain and Blue Note can be heard.

Aurelijus Užameckis is a Lithuanian bass player and composer. He lives in Copenhagen and is active in the Lithuanian, Danish, and international alternative music scenes. He is a performer and writer in several ensembles, such as the Lithuanian punk-jazz sextet Džiazlaif, The Young Immigrants, CRRNT Collective, Llaki Trio, and Arcanepunk, as well as a solo project, releasing his album Signals. Aurelijus has worked with artists such as Lotte Anker, Flavia Huarachi, Hein Westgaard, Margaux Oswald, Kresten Osgood, Kenny Wollesen, Liudas Mockūnas, and Dalius Naujo. He is also the founder of CRRNT Collective—an artist-run label and concert platform in Copenhagen.

Akira.Drums is part of Final Descent’s Artist in Residency 2025, where three Japanese musicians will visit Copenhagen Jazz Festival with solo performances and exciting new collaborations.

J. Ludvig III

Behind the artist name J. Ludvig III is the acclaimed drummer and producer Jonathan Jull Ludvigsen, who first made waves on the music scene as part of the groundbreaking jazz trio Athletic Progression.

In 2021, he released his debut album, ‘Sadboy Fusion’, showcasing the results of this exploration: hectic and provocatively off-kilter beats cycling alongside Jonathan's bright, angelic, autotuned voice. It’s an extreme contrast between vulnerability and strength, also evident in his live performances, where he turns his back to the audience, exposing his bare back while battling with his instrument.

In 2024, J. Ludvig III returned with his second album, ‘EMOTAN’, a tribute to his former self and a desire to defy expectations. It’s a grand breakup album that throws the listener through a whirlwind of genre references, all held together by Jonathan’s anxious vocals, seemingly on the verge of breaking.

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