Mount Tibidabo EP
Grande Família Sextet's new EP,
out 29th November 2024
This latest release from Billy Marrows features the Grande Família Sextet, made up of three horn players from the 'Penelope' album, the drummer from the 'Penelope' album launch and one of Billy's long time bass associates.
It was recorded at the Vortex Jazz Club with the band in the round, surrounded by some of Penny Marrows' paintings (Billy's mother).
25% of proceeds will go to
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Track Listing
Mount Tibidabo
A Grande Família (Trio)
The Heron
Shenandoah
The track 'Mount Tibidabo' is a musical representation of Billy's journey to the top of Mount Tibidabo and back...
This trio version of 'A Grande Família' features Flo Moore on bass and Tom Potter on drums, improvising on the original "lead sheet" for Grande Família's signature tune, which was the first single of the 'Penelope' album.
'The Heron' is inspired by a card Billy received from American friends of his mum informing him that one of them took the photo of Penny in her youth used inside the 'Penelope' album. The card features a heron playing an orange accordion with the tale of Bruce Balfour Great Blue Heron on the back.
The EP ends with a sextet arrangement of the beautiful traditional American sea shanty Shenandoah, expanding upon the solo guitar version that concluded the 'Penelope' album.
Billy Marrows guitar
Mike Soper trumpet (1,2,4)
Tom Ridout soprano/tenor saxophone (1,2,4)
Olli Martin tenor/bass trombone (1,2,4)
Flo Moore electric bass
Tom Potter drums
All compositions by Billy Marrows except Shenandoah (trad arr. Billy Marrows)
Recorded by Jack Perry-Cockings on 16th July 2024
Mixed and mastered by Alex Bonney
Photos and videos by Ted Smith - Glass Eye Factory
Artworks by Penny Marrows (1951-2023)
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THE 'PENELOPE' ALBUM
Billy Marrows + Grande Família | "Penelope" album launch - PizzaExpress Live Soho (montage)
L’Heroïsme (in support of World Child Cancer) | Billy Marrows + Grande Família
A Grande Família (in support of World Child Cancer) | Billy Marrows + Grande Família
Billy released his debut album ‘Penelope’ on the 26 January 2024, so far raising over £4,850 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 and sold out over two months in advance.
"All proceeds go to World Child Cancer, which is an excellent reason for purchase, but the music is reward enough"
★★★★ Editor's Choice in JAZZWISE (UK)
"An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive" Taking Off feature in JAZZWISE (UK)
"The resulting 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)
100% of proceeds go to
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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