Nikel is a quartet consisting of saxophone, electric guitar, percussion and piano. A mix of traditional and contemporary, these instruments combine to form an alternative chamber music output where electric and acoustic sounds are fused into a unified sonic organism built on a wide, yet discerning musical vocabulary. The continual search for new musical ideas is not based on aesthetic prejudice or dichotomies of musical genres, but on passion and devotion to making and performing great music. Founded in 2006, the ensemble is a frequent guest at many of the leading festivals of contemporary music: Donaueschinger Musiktage, International Summer Courses for New Music in Darmstadt, Wien Modern, Warsaw Autumn, Manifeste Paris, Huddersfield, Gaudeamus in Utrecht, and Impuls Graz. In recent years, they have increased their international presence with appearances in North America, South America, and New Zealand, as well as continued appearances at major festivals throughout Europe. Its recordings are released by Wergo, Neos, and Kairos label.