Karl Tietze is a musician, composer, and educator based in Richmond, Virginia. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he began playing regular gigs as a jazz drummer while still in high school. During that time he was awarded scholarships to the Stanford Jazz Institute and was a member of both the Young People's Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. His desire to learn more led him to pursue and obtain a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Loyola University New Orleans, where he studied with legendary drummers Johnny Vidacovich and Herlin Riley.

His proficiency as a supportive and versatile musician has led him to perform with a variety of musical artists including John Clayton, Veronica Swift, Braxton Cook, Kirk Whalum, John D'Earth, Charles Owens, Gabrielle Cavassa, Jeff Denson, IFE, and many others at venues across the country such as Smalls Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall, the SFJAZZ Center, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Con Alma, Festival International De Louisiane, and Grand Performances LA.