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PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA
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The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was the creation of classically-trained guitarist, composer and arranger Simon Jeffes(1949-1997). The band was formed in 1976. Jeffes and cellist co-founder Helen Liebmann were core members throughout its life. A number of other musicians joined the collective as the band grew and developed, many of whom appear on the PCO's six studio albums. The first album, Music From The Penguin Cafe, was released in 1976 on Brian Eno's experimental Obscure Records label.
PCO'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.After becoming disillusioned with the rigid structures of classical music and the limitations of rock music, in which he also dabbled, Jeffes became interested in the relative freedom in ethnic music and decided to imbue his work with the same sense of immediacy and spirit.
They have also collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto ("REPLICA") and Akiko Yano ( "THE Snake and THE Lotus") in the past.
