Aurelius is a trio led by bassist and composer Marcus Penrose. The trio have been playing together since 2015, performing original compositions written by members of the band. Their first album, ‘The Process’ was released in 2018 and received international recognition. The Trio’s second album ‘Rizes Cave’ was released in March 2025. Marcus and pianist Will Butterworth have been playing music together extensively for over 20 years and have developed a trust and knowledge of each others playing which allows an instinctive, fearless approach whenever they play. Completing the trio is kindred spirit, drummer Peter Ibbetson. They share a collective interest in finding beauty in many forms within the corners of their improvisation and a spirit of limitless possibility.
‘‘I think it sounds fantastic. All three are playing beautifully. Great sounds, compositions and beautiful use of space. Very happy to have heard it‘‘……. Larry Grenadier
” There’s a sense that this trio are being completely true to their musical selves. It’s a beautiful album, to be listened to again and again”…… London Jazz News
” There is much to admire about the trio’s delicate group interplay and their absorbing compositions”……. Ian Mann (The Jazz Mann)
“Arrives with stillness and becalms….” **** All About Jazz
Marcus Penrose is a double bassist and composer who has been a member of the London music scene for 25 years. He has been a regular at the City’s major jazz venues such as The Vortex, 606 Club and The Jazz Cafe. Outside of London he has performed with a diverse range of artists at venues and festivals from the North of Scotland to Norway and Sweden and from the Swiss Alps to Cyprus to the Persian Gulf and many points between. He has recently collaborated with visiting international touring artists, Finland’s Olli Soikelli and France’s Adrien Moignard. He continues to write and perform with his trio, Aurelius which has received international recognition.
Will Butterworth, piano has worked extensively with many of the UK’s finest musicians including Dylan Howe, Asaf Sirkis, Andy Shepherd, Bill Bruford, Julian Siegel, and recently in a duo with Hadley Fraser. He was one half of the critically acclaimed ‘Stravinsky Duo’ with Dylan Howe, reinterpreting the works Stravinsky for drums and Piano. He has released 4 albums as band leader and his music has been heard on Radio 2,3 and classic FM. His latest quartet album ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ – a suite of original music based on Oscar Wilde’s Children’s story of the same name – was be released on Jellymould jazz.
Peter Ibbetson is a Drummer, Composer, Pianist and Educator based in South London. He has played at an array of venues and festivals across Europe including Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea and Gent Jazz Festivals. Rock En Seine (Paris) Bestival (UK) The Olympia, Cigale Club and Bataclan (Paris) Shepherds Bush Empire, Islington Assembly Halls and Union Chapel (London). As well as many more spanning France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia and Holland. He is involved with many of London’s forward thinking musicians, bridging the gaps between Jazz, Free Improv, Electonica, Folk and Rock and Roll.
Their New album, Rizes Cave (March 2025)