“Is this hip hop? Well, it could be. Could be jazz as well. Or some dub mutation noone’s ever heard of. Fact is: you’ll never be the same after this one.” Lefto Early Bird
Kin Gajo is the project of accordionist Stan Maris with saxophonist Werend Van Den Bossche and drummer Tom Peeters. With members from Sonic Hug, Dishwasher_, Kreis and Elias D’hooghe trio, the band combines instrumental hiphop with their own jazz background. Playing dub and bass-heavy tracks, experimenting in their unusual formation.
September 2023, Kin Gajo was selected for Brussels Jazz Alert. One month later, their debut EP, "Āku アーク", was released on Belgian jazz powerhouse WERF Records.
They were part of "Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Vol 3" in 2024, a selection by Lefto Early Bird from the flourishing Belgian jazz scene. It was released on the Belgian groove obsessed Sdban Records label. Playing at the Brussels Jazz Weekend they presented their music.
Kin Gajo also won the "Young Jazztalent Ghent 2024". With this award prize, the band will record their first full album, and play on the main stage of Gent Jazz Festival 2025.
