World Child Cancer works to help children with cancer in developing countries – in the UK over 80% of children now survive cancer – in developing countries that can be as low as 10%.

- £7 could pay for one week's worth of pain relief medication for two children with cancer in Malawi

- £10 could pay for essential blood tests for three children with cancer pre-chemotherapy in Cameroon

- £30 could support the reliable supply of essential drugs for three children with cancer in Myanmar

- £50 could pay for a round of life-saving chemotherapy for a child with cancer in Ghana

Thank you so much for supporting this important cause!

‘Penelope’ is the debut album from jazz guitarist and composer Billy Marrows and was created for his mum Penny during her struggle with pancreatic cancer in 2023. It will be released as a charity album on the 24th of January 2024 in memory of Penny and with all proceeds going to World Child Cancer.

You can pre-order the album here.

The album features Billy’s new drummer-less 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 partner Teresa on viola, alongside eight diverse musicians special to Billy.

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 overcome 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, the musicians involved 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 and Greg Sanders - shaker and producer.  

Thank you!

Billy