Play Penguin Cafe… Radio

Penguin Cafe Orchestra

1,386,066 plays (133,251 listeners)

Listening now: djellemah

122 shouts

Add to my Library Share

(1974 – 1997)

The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was the creation of classically-trained guitarist, composer and arranger Simon Jeffes (Crawley, Sussex, England, 1949-1997). Jeffes and cellist co-founder Helen Liebmann were members throughout its life; a number of other musicians became part of the ensemble playing live and also appearing on studio albums according to the instrumentation of particular pieces.

The Penguin’s sound is not easily categorized, but has elements of exuberant folk music and a minimalist aesthetic occasionally reminiscent of composers such as Philip Glass.

The PCO toured extensively during the 80’s and early 90’s, and two albums, “When in Rome” (1988) and “Concert Program” (1995) captured the sound of the live ensemble. Penguin Cafe Orchestra recorded and performed for 24 years until Jeffes died of a brain tumour in 1997. The 10th anniversary of Jeffes’ death was marked by the original PCO reforming for three concerts at the Union Chapel in London in 2007.

Four members of the original PCO, Geoffrey Richardson,Jennifer Maidman,Steve Fletcher and Annie Whitehead are still together playing the music under the name “The Anteaters”.

In 2009 Simon Jeffes’ son Arthur Jeffes formed a new group called “Music From The Penguin Cafe” which plays some of the music of PCO along with his own compositions.


History
Read more… Edit

Top Albums

See more

Top Tracks

1 Play
745
2 Play
559
3 Play
229
4 Play
Air A Danser full track
217
5 Play
214
6 Play
Air full track
162
7 Play
White Mischief full track
152
8 Play
Steady State full track
150
9 Play
Paul's Dance full track
149
9 Play
Yodel 1 full track
149
11 Play
Penguin Cafe Single full track
143
12 Play
130
13 Play
126
14 Play
112
15 Play
More Milk full track
98
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).
See all 122 shouts

Videos

Listeners

See more

Recent Activity

Related Journals

See more

More Information

Links
Band Members
Labels