Ali N. Askin & Band
Foto ©2025 Natalia Kepesz
About
In 2011, Ali N. Askin was invited by the international jazz trade fair jazzahead! to perform his music with a group of musicians of his choice. He assembled a quintet that performed material from his film scores as well as new compositions written especially for the occasion. Askin decided to continue the project in order to perform live on a regular basis again. Over the years, the band appeared sporadically in various line-ups. Following a two-year break due to the pandemic, the Berlin-based band resumed performing and recording. Together with these four brilliant and versatile musicians, Askin explores the fusion of jazz, funk, world music, minimalism, experimental music and ambient—bringing together the many different influences that have shaped his diverse musical career.
From a studio concert that we gave at Studio Soundfabrik, Berlin in July 2023
Personnel
Ali N. Askin (compositions, keyboards)
After studying classical composition and working as a keyboardist and pianist in local bands in his hometown of Munich, Askin gained international attention in the 1990s as Frank Zappa’s musical assistant on The Yellow Shark. At the same time, he began writing music for theatre and film and soon became one of Germany’s best-known film composers. He works for both national and international television and film productions (ARD, ZDF, ARTE, Netflix, Warner, etc.). In 2008, he received the German Film Award for Best Film Score and has since been nominated for the award three more times. He also composes concert music and works for music theatre, while remaining active as a musician in various projects. In 2022, he founded his label Yatak Records, releasing his own projects as well as music by artist friends and colleagues.
Tobias Kabiersch (electric bass)
Tobias studied at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. His musical work includes concerts, recordings and tours with Lenn Kudrjawitzki, Volkan Baydar, Della Miles, Ron Spielman, Dominique Lacasa and others. He has also regularly performed in productions at Theater am Potsdamer Platz, Theater des Westens and Friedrichstadt-Palast. He is currently a permanent member of the musician pool for Stars in Concert and performs as bassist and vocalist with the Berlin Police combo.
Christoph Titz (trumpet, flugelhorn, electronics)
After founding his first band, Scetches, which became internationally known in the 1990s as one of Germany’s most interesting jazz-funk fusion bands, Christoph went on to perform as a soloist and sideman with numerous artists and ensembles, including Marla Glen, Carl Craig, Moritz von Oswald, the WDR Big Band, Ebo Taylor, Hugo Fernandez, Señor Coconut, Leszek Kułakowski & Adam Wendt, and many others. Since 2002, he has released eight solo albums with his own projects.
Matthias Trippner (drums, percussion)
Matthias studied drums and piano at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. He has performed at international festivals and taken part in tours and recordings with artists including RAD., Gitte Haenning, Stefan Raab, Conexiao Berlin, Christoph Titz and many others. For more than 20 years, Matthias Trippner has also worked as a composer for theatre productions and documentary films.
Lars Dieterich (bass clarinet, electronics, soprano and tenor saxophone)
A true woodwind wizard, Lars is highly sought after both as a live and studio musician. His distinctive sound can be heard with artists and projects including Flo Mega & The Ruffcats, Matti Klein Soul Trio, Moka Efti Orchestra (Babylon Berlin), The BossHoss, Jazzanova and many others. Alongside a busy touring schedule, he also teaches at institutions including Humboldt University, NYU Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin.