Billy Marrows & Grande Família

28 March at Crookes Social Club
8.00-10.45 pm, doors open 7.20 pm

Teresa Macedo Ferreira: viola, Tori Freestone: flute tbc, Gustavo Clayton Marucci: clarinet & bass clarinet, Chris Williams: alto sax, Tom Ridout: tenor & soprano sax, clarinet, recorders, Mike Soper: trumpet, Olli Martin: trombone, Anna Drysdale: French horn, Billy Marrows: guitar, Angus Bayley: piano, Jonas Mbanu: electric bass, Rod Oughton:drums 
photo credit Ted Smith

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This gig is a rare chance to hear Billy Marrows and his chamber jazz group Grande Família play music from their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Penelope’. Recorded as a surprise for Billy’s mother Penny during her struggle with pancreatic cancer in summer 2023, it was released in her memory in January 2024. It features the group as a 12-piece ensemble and in smaller combinations, interspersed with intimate solo guitar vignettes. Their inventive contemporary jazz spans a wide emotional spectrum, with strong narrative and melodic solos and compositions at its heart. This melodic narrative shapes a beautiful evening of original music, not to be missed!

“I could not recommend Billy Marrows’ incredible album ‘Penelope’ any higher. It’s among the most beautiful, rich, textured and emotive music I’ve heard in years” – Jamie Doe, aka The Magic Lantern

The album launch at Pizza Express in London sold out over two months in advance. All proceeds from the album are going to World Child Cancer, a charity helping children in developing countries to beat cancer. 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. Penny was an artist and the album and single artworks showcase her striking paintings. The extended family rallied around to support the project financially and make it happen.  https://www.billymarrows.com/grande-familia

Billy Marrows is a London-based jazz guitarist and award-winning composer who leads the Billy Marrows Band and Big Band. He is a member of a number of projects across a broad spectrum of the London jazz scene including the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra and Tom Ridout Quintet. He has toured in the UK and Europe with Chelsea Carmichael, Tom Barford’s Group, OK Aurora and Tom Ridout and has appeared on a number of albums, as well as releasing his critically acclaimed debut album in 2024.

“An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive” – ★★★★ Editor’s Choice in JAZZWISE

“…with his Grande Família project Marrows has created a spectacular new ensemble… The album is a triumph …and the arrangements prepared by Marrows are rich in colour and detail “ – Jazz Views

“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, thebluemoment.com

link to Billy Marrows bandcamp site ‘Penelope’ album
link to Billy Marrows & Grande Família new EP ‘Mount Tibidabo’

Video Links

Ticket Prices

Full – £17
Over 60, disabled, unemployed – £15
Student with NUS card – £10
15 – 17 year olds – £5
Under 15s – Free

We encourage you to book tickets online in advance, to avoid missing out and to make life easier and safer for our Door Team.  It will be possible to pay for entry at the door (preferably by contactless payment) if seats are available.

Advance tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz