Serious

Ritual, groove music or zen-funk, jazz or not jazz, Swiss composer and pianist Nik Bärtsch's funk quintet Ronin reaches both mind and body. Ronin was founded in 2001 with Nik Bärtsch, Kaspar Rast (drums), Björn Meyer (bass), Andi Pupato (percussion) and Sha (bass- and contrabass clarinet). Rhythm patterns are complex yet clearly connect to the dancefloor, while the melodic structure creates layer upon layer, without losing the music's essence.  Described by Observer Music Monthly as “music that throbs with a pulsating dynamism that’s almost hypnotic” Bärtsch draws on inspirations from John Cage to James Brown, yet creates a strongly individual sound.

“In a breathtaking concert Bärtsch and his group Ronin emphasised the various elements of ritual. Before the music even started, there was the low-level coloured lighting of altered mental states. The band was sepulchrally lit, in greens and purples; as the music warmed up and the grooves locked in, giant purple glowsticks glimmered into life.”  (Financial Times)

www.nikbaertsch.com/ronin