Asaf Sirkis Trio

Asaf Sirkis Trio

Asaf Sirkis is an Israel-born drummer, percussionist and composer who works mainly in jazz, with influences from rock, Jewish music and Middle Eastern music. Born in 1969, he begins drum lessons at the age of 12 and studies for seven years with David Rich. He starts his professional career in the early 1990s, playing in Israel with jazz, rock and free jazz musicians including Harold Rubin, Albert Beger, Ari Brown and Emmmanuel Bex. He also plays with klezmer groups and with Middle Eastern musicians such as Yair Dalal and Eyal Sela.

Early projects and move to London

While still in Israel, Sirkis forms the Asaf Sirkis Trio and records its first album, One Step Closer, after touring Israel with the group. His second project is The Inner Noise, a trio of drums, electric guitar and church organ, partly commissioned by the arts department of the Tel Aviv City Council and performed around Israel in 1997 and 1998.

In 1999 he moves to London and becomes part of the UK jazz and world music scene. That year he begins working with Palestinian oud player and composer Adel Salameh. He also forms a new version of The Inner Noise with Steve Lodder and Mike Outram; this lineup releases three albums.

Collaborations and later work

In 2000 Sirkis meets Gilad Atzmon and they form the Orient House Ensemble, recording seven albums together before Sirkis leaves in 2009 to focus on his own projects. Their album Exile wins Best CD at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2003, and the group is nominated for Best Band the following year. Other collaborations include Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio with Gwilym Simcock, and projects with Nicolas Meier and Larry Coryell’s Power Trio.

In 2007 he forms a trio with guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and bassist Yaron Stavi. This group releases The Monk in 2008 and Letting Go in 2010. He also works under the names Biological Madness, Céline Bonacina Crystal Quartet, Asaf Sirkis and the Inner Noise, and Tact, and records for Audio Network.