Billy Marrows and Grande Família - The Penelope Album Live (2025) [Hi-Res]

A beautiful recording capturing a chamber like and essentially British jazz sound in all its joy and melancholy, and with all its twists and turns as the story plays out.

This album captures the debut performance of Billy's 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble Grande Família, recorded live at London’s PizzaExpress Jazz Club. The concert, which sold out two months in advance and received a full standing ovation, features expanded arrangements of music from his critically acclaimed debut album 'Penelope'.

The original studio album was created as a surprise for Billy’s mother Penny during her struggle with pancreatic cancer in summer 2023. Released in her memory in January 2024, all proceeds go to World Child Cancer, raising over £5,400. Ten percent of live album sales will go to the same charity, and like the original, it features beautiful cover art by Penny.

The album presents live versions of all tracks from the 'Penelope' album, with the solo guitar compositions developed into full band pieces and an overture added, without losing the intimate solo, duo and trio moments. The CD's sleeve notes feature words by Richard Williams, from his blog piece about the original album on The Blue Moment.

"A spectacular new ensemble" according to Jazz Views, Grande Família brings together a unique line-up of talented musicians, including BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year finalist Tom Ridout and Mercury Prize nominated Led Bib saxophonist Chris Williams, alongside several of Billy's family members. In a review of their sold out Vortex Jazz Club show, Jazzwise described Grande Família as being "comprised of big characters and full of improvisational flair". The live album personnel mirrors the original record, enhanced by the addition of Tom Potter’s virtuosic yet highly sensitive drumming.

Billy's inventive yet emotive compositional style draws on influences such as Weather Report, Gil Evans, Leonard Bernstein and Hermeto Pascoal. Praised by Jazzwise as "an exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive", Billy's music makes powerful use of Grande Família's rich sonic palette and outstanding improvisors, with written material and solos that are both narrative driven and deeply melodic.

Teresa Macedo Ferreira - viola
Dijan Mbanu - flute
Gustavo Clayton Marucci - clarinet and bass clarinet
Chris Williams - alto saxophone
Tom Ridout - tenor/soprano saxophones and clarinet
Mike Soper - trumpet
Olli Martin - trombone
Anna Drysdale - French horn
Billy Marrows - guitar, baritone guitar and compositions
Angus Bayley - piano
Jonas Mbanu - electric bass
Tom Potter - drums
Greg Sanders - shaker (7,16)