Billy Marrows
+ Grande FamÍlia
L’Heroïsme (in support of World Child Cancer) | Billy Marrows + Grande Família
A Grande Familia (Reprise) | Billy Marrows + Grande Família - live at the Vortex Jazz Club
A Grande Família (in support of World Child Cancer) | Billy Marrows + Grande Família
Debut Album ‘Penelope’ - out NOW
Billy released his debut album ‘Penelope’ on the 26 January 2024, so far raising over £5,400 for World Child Cancer.
In memory of his mother Penny, who died of cancer in August 2023, all proceeds of the album are going to World Child Cancer, a charity helping children in developing countries to beat cancer.
‘Penelope’ features Billy’s new chamber jazz group, Grande Família, both as a 12-piece ensemble and in smaller combinations, interspersed with intimate solo guitar vignettes.
The album launch gig was at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho on 13th May 2024, selling out over two months in advance. This was followed by a sold-out Vortex gig and the upcoming performance on the Puppet Theatre Barge sold out over 1.5 months in advance.
"An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive"
★★★★ Editor's Choice in JAZZWISE (UK)
"An intensely personal insight into Marrows’ unique musical mind"
"The wider band was comprised of big characters and full of improvisational flair"
"The overall result was raw and emotionally engaging"
"The album is a triumph...with his Grande Família project, Marrows has created a spectacular new ensemble"
Jazz Views (UK)
"A highly successful fund raising venture the album is also an impressive musical achievement in its own right. The music coheres remarkably effectively with Marrows himself the unifying force"
★★★★ The Jazz Mann (UK)
"What I really like about the album is how its 10 separate pieces, for all their variety of means and approach, behave as though they belong together, like a family"
Richard Williams, The Blue Moment
"Melodic and distinctive...an album of inventive and
contemporary chamber-jazz that serves as a worthy tribute and aids a worthy cause"
★★★★ All About Jazz
"Gorgeous chamber jazz LP"
Bandcamp, New and Notable (US)
The album Penelope features Billy’s new chamber jazz group, Grande Família, both as a 12-piece ensemble and in smaller combinations, interspersed with intimate solo guitar vignettes. It includes one of Penny’s nephews Jonas on bass, great-niece Dijan on flute and Billy’s girlfriend Teresa on viola, alongside eight diverse musicians special to Billy. Their inventive contemporary jazz spans a wide emotional spectrum, with strong narrative and melodic solos and compositions
In March 2023 Penny was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Billy, Teresa and his cousins performed for her at a family gathering in April. She loved it, so Billy decided to make this charity album as a surprise for her, generously supported by friends and family. Penny realised how fortunate she was to have access to such good cancer care, compared to others around the world, so we chose to raise money for World Child Cancer, a charity that helps children to beat cancer in countries where it is needed the most. Penny was an artist and the album and single artworks showcase her striking paintings.
Recorded at The Pool Studio in South London (very close to where Billy was born and lived 'til aged 6 months), the musicians on the album are:
Billy Marrows - guitar/baritone guitar and compositions
Teresa Macedo Ferreira - viola
Dijan Mbanu - flute
Jonas Mbanu - electric bass
Angus Bayley - piano
Gustavo Clayton Marucci - clarinet and bass clarinet
Chris Williams - alto sax (also in Billy’s small group, the Billy Marrows Band)
Tom Ridout - sop, tenor and clarinet
Mike Soper - trumpet
Olli Martin - trombone
Anna Drysdale - French horn
Greg Sanders - shaker and producer.
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