FM
History
The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) was a British avant-pop band created by 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. Several members of the original PCO, Geoffrey Richardson, Jennifer Maidman, Steve Fletcher, and Annie Whitehead have continued to play the music initially under the name “The Anteaters” but more recently as “The Orchestra That Fell to Earth”.
The orchestra’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.
Genres
Members
