Ali N. Askin & Band / EPK
Foto ©2019 Florian Liedel
“There are two rules in life:
No.1 - Never quit
No.2 - Never forget rule No.1”
About
In 2011 Ali N. Askin was invited by the international trade fair jazzahead! to perform his music with a group of musicians of his choice. He put together a quintet which performed material from his filmscores and also originals written for this occasion. Not having played in a band context for a long time and enjoying to be back on stage again, Askin decided to continue this project in order to play live again more regularly. Over the years this band, in different incarnations, performed in clubs as well as twice at the Zappanale Festival. After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Berlin-based band has begun performing again and recorded an album which will be released in 2023.
With these excellent and versatile performers Askin explores the fusion of jazz, funk, world music, minimal, experimental and ambient - thus melting together all the different influences of his manifold 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 playing in local bands in his hometown Munich, Askin got some attention in the 1990ies internationally as musical assistant of Frank Zappa. At the same time he started writing and playing music for theatre and movies and soon became one of the best known film composers in Germany. He works for national as well as international TV and film productions (ARD, ZDF, ARTE, Netflix, Warner, etc.). In 2008 he received the German Film Academy Award, the socalled “Lola”, for best filmscore (Leroy) and has been nominated three times since. He continues to compose concert music as well as works for music theatre.
Thomas Stieger (electric bass)
For many years now Thomas is one of the most sought-after bass players, sidemen and session musicians in Germany. He worked with nationally and internationally renowned acts and artists of Europe's diverse scene; mostly within the colourful worlds of Pop, Rock, Soul and Jazz. Some artists he has performed, toured and recorded with are: Wolfgang Haffner, Randy Brecker, Sarah Connor, Bill Evans, Nils Landgren, Gregory Porter, and many more...
Christoph Titz (trumpet, flugelhorn, electronics)
After forming his first band Scetches, which was internationally recognized as one of the most interesting jazz-funk-fusion acts coming out of Germany in the 90ies, Christoph appeared as solist/sideman for such diverse artists and bands as: Marla Glen, Carl Craig, Moritz von Oswald, WDR Big Band, Ebo Taylor, Hugo Fernandez, Senor Coconut, Leszek Kulakowski & Adam Wendt, and many others. Since 2002 he has released 8 solo albums of his own projects.
Tilo Weber (drums, percussion)
Various bands and projects keep Tilo busy, both as a drummer and a composer: Beside playing and writing for his own bands which include Animate Repose and Four Fauns, he is also a member of David Friedman’s Generations Trio/Quartet, and the band Y-Otis. Together with David Friedman he founded the label Malletmuse Records, and is teaching at the University for Music and Theatre Hamburg. In 2022 he received the German Jazz Award for best arrangement (“Se la mia morte brami”).
Lars Zander (bass clarinet, electronics, soprano and tenor saxophone)
Woodwind wizard Lars is much in demand as a live musician as well as a studio session player. His unique sound can be heard with artists and projects such as:
Flo Mega & The Ruffcats, Matti Klein Soul Trio, Stereofysh, Moka Efti Orchestra (Berlin Babylon), The BossHoss, Jazzanova and many others. Beside having a busy touring schedule, he also taught and teaches at various universities (Humboldt Universität, NYU-Berlin, FU Berlin).