ARJAY – COTTON CLUB SWING NIGHT

Arjay is a Hamburg-based contemporary jazz group led by saxophonist and composer Will Rees-Jones, blending improvisation, deep groove, and global textures. After relocating from the UK, Will formed the band to explore original music shaped as much by travel and place as by genre.
The group’s sound sits at the crossroads of contemporary jazz, West African rhythm, and groove-based indie — drawing inspiration from artists like Kokoroko, Rob Luft, Brad Mehldau, and Jungle. Rich in atmosphere and rhythmic depth, Arjay’s music blends strong melodic writing with brain-tickling improvisation.
Their debut EP was written during Will’s travels in South America, volunteering on permaculture projects in rural villages and remote valleys. The music reflects those experiences — quiet mornings, dusty vineyards, and vast, open plains — with a warm, organic sound.
At its heart, Arjay is about musical conversation between genres, cultures, and people. The result is an immersive sound: groove-driven, emotionally resonant, and effortlessly catchy.
Arjay is:
Will Rees-Jones
Moritz Schöwing
Josh Weiß
Melanie Streitmatter
Niklas Stadler