Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin at Smida Jazz Festival at Smida Park

The Japanese philosophy flows through every artery in the structure of Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin. Nik often brings a Samue-specific clothing worn by Zen monks, combined with Western, urban elements. Their Name, Ronin, is inspired by the age of samurais and means lone fighter, who prefers to explore freedom on their own, instead of joining a caste.

The scenography is completed once the instruments begin to vibrate in the hands of the four musicians: zen-funk agreements and groove ritual vibes synchronize accurately as if the notes would come into harmony with the energies of the four artists. Part of this harmony is inspired by the affinity of the founder for the practices of John Cage or Morton Feldman....

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The Japanese philosophy flows through every artery in the structure of Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin. Nik often brings a Samue-specific clothing worn by Zen monks, combined with Western, urban elements. Their Name, Ronin, is inspired by the age of samurais and means lone fighter, who prefers to explore freedom on their own, instead of joining a caste.

The scenography is completed once the instruments begin to vibrate in the hands of the four musicians: zen-funk agreements and groove ritual vibes synchronize accurately as if the notes would come into harmony with the energies of the four artists. Part of this harmony is inspired by the affinity of the founder for the practices of John Cage or Morton Feldman.

The Musician and playwrighter Michel Mettler synthesizes the system of meanings of the group:

“However, these forms are merely juxtaposed in post-modernist fashion but instead amalgamated into a coherent style. Ultimately, these sounds and rhytms are highly idiosynractic. The music consists of very few phrases and motives, continually combined and layered in new ways. Ronin thus creates a consistent aesthetic across all levels of musical expression.”

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