Tobias Schirmer studied classical drums and jazz drums, won 3x the 1st prize "jugend jazzt", was awarded the Kultur-Förder-Preis of the Main- Kinzig-Kreis in 2002 and received the Bayerischer Kunstförderpreis 2010 with the Alexander Wienand Trio.

In addition to numerous CD productions, he has played at major jazz festivals in Montreal, Vancouver, Ascona, etc., and has collaborated with the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, Ensemble Kontraste, and artists such as Ernie Watts, Ken Peplowski, Brenda Boykin, Ray Bryant, Herb Geller, Tony Lakatos, Günter Lenz, Hugo Strasser, and others.

In addition to his rhythmic brilliance, his playing is characterized by a distinct sensitivity, sound awareness and high stylistic flexibility. In his solo concerts, Tobias Schirmer explores new sound worlds with misappropriated sound bodies such as brake discs and saw blades, but also new methods of interaction with artificial intelligence.