This article is about the band active 1972–1997. For their self-titled 1981 album, see Penguin Cafe Orchestra (album). For the successor band formed in 2009, see Penguin Cafe.
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Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Background information
Origin
England
Genres
Avant-pop[1]
Years active
1972–1997 (Reunion: 2007)
Labels
Obscure, E.G., Virgin/EMI
Website
penguincafe.com
Musical artist
The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) were an avant-pop band led by English guitarist Simon Jeffes. Co-founded with cellist Helen Liebmann, the band toured extensively during the 1980s and 1990s. The band's sound is not easily categorized, having elements of exuberant folk music and a minimalist aesthetic occasionally reminiscent of composers such as Philip Glass.[2]
The group recorded and performed for 24 years until Jeffes died of an inoperable brain tumour in 1997. Several members of the original group reunited for three concerts in 2007. Since then, five original members have continued to play concerts of PCO's music, initially as the Anteaters, then as the Orchestra That Fell to Earth. In 2009, Jeffes' son Arthur founded a successor band simply called Penguin Cafe. Although it includes no original PCO members, the band features many PCO pieces in its live repertoire, and records and performs new music written by Arthur.
^"Pop: Recommended". Billboard. 22 December 1984. p. 1. ISSN 0006-2510.
^Lewis, John (18 February 2014). "Penguin Cafe – review". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
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