Norman Ludwin started playing the bass at age nine. He has been composing since his teens, but attended Cal Arts and the University of Southern California to study bass with Buell Neidlinger and Milton Kestenbaum. He later worked with Gaston Dufresne while a member of the Florida Symphony, and Robert Brennand in NYC. His studies with Ray Brown helped him pursue his interest in jazz.

In 1983, Norman took the co-principal job in the Natal Philharmonic in Durban, South Africa. Though repelled by the apartheid regime, Norman was able to play much jazz while there and travel across the continent. Returning to Los Angeles in 1985, Norman now freelances in the symphony and recording fields, sitting principal in the South Bay Chamber Orchestra, Mozart Camerata and the Symphony in the Glen.

Norman currently teaches orchestration in UCLA Extension Film Scoring Program, and is an occasional contributor to The Bass World Magazine. In May 2003, Norman received his Masters in Composition degree from the California State University at Northridge.