Nik Bärtsch's Ronin

Nik Bärtsch's Ronin

Nik Bärtsch's Ronin is a Swiss jazz band from Zurich, formed in 2001 by the pianist, composer and producer Nik Bärtsch. The group’s line-up includes Bärtsch on composition, piano and Fender Rhodes, Kaspar Rast on drums, Björn Meyer on bass, Andi Pupato on percussion, and Sha on bass and contrabass clarinet. The wider personnel associated with the group also includes Thomy Jordi.

Style and approach

The band’s music belongs to Bärtsch’s broader RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC cycle, which combines elements drawn from funk, new classical music and Japanese ritual music. Its repeated patterns and insistent rhythms are also linked to minimalism, particularly in the sense of Steve Reich. Bärtsch describes the group’s approach as "Zen-Funk".

Ronin presents this material with a flexible format, playing the compositions more freely than Bärtsch’s acoustic group, Nik Bärtsch's Mobile. The project follows a consistent aesthetic aim of achieving a strong effect through minimal means.

Releases and labels

Ronin’s releases form part of the RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC cycle. Early recordings appear on Ronin Records, including Randori, Live and Rea. Later releases appear on ECM, including Stoa, Holon, Llyrìa and Live.

Bärtsch’s earlier projects are released on Ronin Rhythm Records. In 2006 he signs to ECM and releases four albums with Ronin.

Related work

Alongside Ronin, Bärtsch performs as a solo artist and with the acoustic ensemble Nik Bärtsch's Mobile.