Genres:
Jazz, zen funk, contemporary music, minimalist music
Get to know him:
Nik Bärtsch began studying piano and percussion at an early age and later trained in classical piano at the Zurich University of the Arts. Shaped by a deep fascination with rhythm, Japanese culture, and Zen practice, he went on to found the bands Mobile and Ronin. His music sits at the crossroads of jazz, funk, contemporary classical and minimalist traditions, shaped by influences ranging from Steve Reich to Japanese Zen philosophy. Through repetition and subtle transformation he creates a groove-based melody that merges diverse influences into a unique sound.
Iconic Album:
“Continuum” (2016) is a groove-driven album by Nik Bärtsch’s Mobile, released on ECM, where European jazz meets funk, minimalism, and refined compositional rigor. The music is subtle, spacious, and hypnotic, unfolding through repetition and restraint. It was selected by AllMusic as one of their Favorite Jazz Albums of 2016, earning widespread critical acclaim.