Nik Bärtsch

Biography

Born 1971 in Zurich. Pianist, composer and producer. Lives in Zurich. Instruction in piano and percussion from the age 8. 1997 Graduation from the 'Musikhochschule Zürich'. 1998-2001 studies in philosophy, linguistics and musicology at the University of Zurich. 2003/04 stay in japan for half a year.

Ongoing work on his RITUAL GROOVE MUSIC as pianist and composer. Leader of MOBILE (since 1997; with Kaspar Rast, Mats Eser & Sha) and the zen-funk quartet RONIN (since 2001; with Kaspar Rast, Thomy Jordi (till 2011 Björn Meyer) and Sha. 2002 - 2012 also with Andi Pupato). Instructor for ‘Practical Aesthetics’ at the 'Musikhochschule Zürich/Winterthur' (2000-2003).
Co-founder of the Music club EXIL in Zurich (2009).
Founder of the label Ronin Rhythm Records, a platform for creative groove music (since 2006).
Co-founder and co-artistic director (together with Judd Greenstein and Etienne Abelin) of the Indie-Classcial Festival Zurich Apples and Olives (2014).

Interest in the influence and the combination of music and movement, specially in the following Bodytechniques: Aikido, Feldenkrais, Gyrotonic.

1999 and 2002 career award of the ‘UBS Cultural Foundation’
2002 'Werkjahr' (career award) from the city of Zurich
2004 culture-award from the town of Zollikon (appreciation-award)
2006 priority jazz support from the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
2007 composition mandate from the Swiss Arts Council
2015 nomination for the Swiss Music Prize by the federal office of Culture of Switzerland