Nik Bärtsch's Ronin is a Swiss jazz-Band from Zurich. It was founded in 2001 by the Swiss pianist, composer and producer Nik Bärtsch (born 1971). All Ronin releases are part of Nik Baertsch's RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC cycle, which combines various musical styles from funk, new classical music to elements of Japanese ritual music. The insistent rhythms also suggest the minimalism of Steve Reich. Bärtsch has called their style "Zen-Funk".

The ZEN-FUNK quintet RONIN was founded in 2001, consisting of Nik Baertsch (composition, piano, fender rhodes), Kaspar Rast (drums), Björn Meyer (bass), Andi Pupato (percussion) and Sha (bass- and contrabass clarinet). Their RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC consistently follows the same aesthetic vision under various instrumental guises: creating the maximum effect by minimal means. Besides, Bärtsch performs as a solo artist and with the acoustic group Nik Bärtsch's Mobile. Ronin tends to be the more flexible formation and plays the compositions more freely.

Bärtsch's earlier projects were released on Ronin Rhythm Records. In 2006 Bärtsch was signed to ECM and has now released three albums with Ronin.

Discography:

* 2010 Llyrìa, ECM

* 2008 Holon, ECM

* 2006 Stoa, ECM

* 2004 Rea, Ronin Records

* 2003 Live, Ronin Records

* 2002 Randori, Ronin Records

www.nikbaertsch.com

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