In the room
“My Light”
A 7/11 polyrhythmic session.
01 / Listen
Start with the music.
Complex meters, memorable melodies and four musicians pulling in the same unexpected direction.
Featured release · 2016
EP #1
Four original instrumental tracks—each with its own character—drawing from progressive rock and metal, Middle Eastern and Balkan music, jazz, and classical influences.
Signal player
Player ready
EP #1
Live session
“Complimentary Weed Basket”
Saxophone and shamisen solos from a live session.
02 / Live
See the music move.
Balaganist is completing its second album, with plans to return to the stage after its release.
Next transmission
No new date announced—yet.
Follow Balaganist or join the mailing list for the second album, new shows and future touring news.
03 / The sound
A beautiful musical mess.
Balaganist was founded in Tokyo in 2015 by composer and guitarist Ron J. Ward. The name comes from בלגאניסט (balaganist)—“a messy person”—chosen because the music is a beautiful mess of genres and sounds.
No two Balaganist tunes are meant to sound alike. What connects them is instrumental storytelling: complex rhythms, memorable melodies and musicians moving through progressive rock and metal, Middle Eastern and Balkan music, classical ideas and more.
Much of the music grows from Ward’s wide-ranging influences, including Estradasphere, Tigran Hamasyan and Dream Theater. After performing at jazz festivals across Tokyo, the band is now completing its second album, with plans to perform again—and hopes to tour—after its release.
Guest musicians
Friends in the chaos.
04 / Contact
Make some noise together.
Bookings, collaborations, press - send them this way.