About

Carl Wittig was born in Kronach, Bavaria, and began his musical career on the piano. While still at school, he won a wide variety of prizes, including the German Radio Studio Prize with the band moments concept. In recognition of his achievements, he was honored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research on Talent Day 2014.

Carl studied double bass and composition with Pepe Berns, Matthias Eichhorn, and Nils Wogram at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig and at HSLU Lucerne. During his time in Lucerne, he successfully auditioned for the Bundesjazzorchester under the direction of Jiggs Whigham and Niels Klein, where he played from 2018 until 2020.

Since 2017, Carl Wittig has been working increasingly with classical musicians, bridging the gap between jazz and classical traditions. His Aurora Octet, a unique ensemble of a jazz and string quartet, challenges traditional roles by merging composition and improvisation. Over the years, the group has developed its own distinct sound, earning Wittig the Leipziger Jazznachwuchspreis 2022. In January 2025, the Aurora Octet released its second album, Continuity and Resonance (XJAZZ Music), further refining its approach. “It’s not about showcasing individual skills but about creating something greater together,” says Wittig.

In addition to the Aurora Octet, Carl Wittig also leads FAE, a smaller ensemble in which he collaborates with pianist Philip Frischkorn, violinist Fabiana Striffler, and cellist Isabelle Klemt. With FAE, Wittig continues his exploration of the fluid boundaries between jazz and classical music, creating an intimate setting for deep musical dialogue and experimentation.