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).
Founder of the label Ronin Rhythm Records, a platform for creative groove music (since 2006).
Co-founder of the Music club EXIL in Zurich (2009).
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.
Nik trains at
Kokoro Aikido Dojo Zurich (3rd Dan).
Residencies, workshops and lectures at several institutions (f.e. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance London (UK), Musikhochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig (DE), Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (CH), Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (CH), Conservatorio Die Musica Trieste (IT), Accademia Di Architettura Mendrisio (CH), ETH Zürich (CH)).
INTERVIEW (CH, 2012) AT SWISS NATIONAL TV SRF.
INTERVIEW (CH, 2021) STERNSTUNDE PHILOSOPHY SRF.
SMALL PORTRAIT (CH, D, 2015) AT SRF.
INTERVIEW (CH, E, 2015) FOR THE SWISS MUSIC PRIZE.
1999 & 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 Swiss Music Prize by the federal office of Culture of Switzerland
2016 winner category "rising stars keyboards", critics poll Downbeat Magazine (USA)
2019 art award of the city of Zurich2021 winner category "rising stars piano", critics poll Downbeat Magazine (USA)