Grande Família is a critically acclaimed 12-piece chamber-jazz ensemble led by award-winning guitarist and composer Billy Marrows.

Fusing contemporary jazz with funk, folk, Brazilian and classical influences, their infectiously melodic sound draws inspiration from the likes of Wayne Shorter, Hermeto Pascoal, Gil Evans and Loose Tubes.

Dijan Mbanu – Flute, Gustavo Clayton Marucci – Clarinet & Bass Clarinet, Kasper Reitkerk – Alto Saxophone, Tom Ridout – Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Mike Soper – Trumpet, Olli Martin – Trombone, Anna Drysdale – French Horn, Billy Marrows – Guitars & Compositions, Angus Bayley – Piano, Jonas Mbanu – Bass, Rod Oughton – Drums Abi Hammett – Viola,

“An exhilaratingly original sound, at once intimate and expansive” (Jazzwise), Grande Família brings together some of Billy’s favourite musicians including BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year finalist Tom Ridout, and Mercury Prize nominated Led Bib saxophonist Chris Williams, and have worked with artists such as Cory Wong, Shabaka Hutchings, Stan Sulzmann, Mark Lockheart, the LSO and London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Billy Marrows has toured in the UK and Europe with Chelsea Carmichael, Tom Barford, Patchwork Jazz Orchestra and Tom Ridout and has appeared on numerous albums, including Amsterdam-based Sam Newbould’s ‘Bogus Notus’ and Tom Barford’s ‘Bloomer’, on Edition records. Billy won both the small ensemble and big band category of the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and studied with Vince Mendoza on the 2018 Metropole Orkest Arrangers Workshop in Holland.

 

Support

Tom Warrilow’s “Cinquillo” in support 7.30-8pm

Bertie Spencer Trumpet, Charlie Folland Sax, James Grey Piano, Joe Wilkes bass, Tom Warrilow, drums

Drummer Tom Warrilow and his quintet bring some extra Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythmic fire to their contemporary jazz fusion sound