December date at The Apex for Penguin Cafe

Penguin Cafe combine folk, classical and minimalism in their vivid series of panoramic sonic landscapes and they are set to appear at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, early next month.

Arthur Jeffes follows in his father Simon Jeffes’ footsteps, by performing music from the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Having been used in a number of adverts and on many film soundtracks, you will probably know several pieces of PCO music, even if you think you don’t.

Formed by Simon in 1972, PCO’s sound is not easily categorized.

Their most famous pieces are “Telephone and Rubber Band”, which is based around a tape loop of a UK telephone ring tone, and “Music for a Found Harmonium”, which Simon wrote on a harmonium he had found in a back street in Kyoto.

The group’s debut album, “Music from the Penguin Café”, was released in 1976 on Brian Eno’s experimental Obscure Records label, and they supported Kraftwerk at The Roundhouse the same year.

Arthur Jeffes brought together a talented and disparate group of musicians in 2009, initially to perform his father’s world-renowned music, 10 years after his untimely death in 1997.

A gifted composer in his own right, Arthur quickly began to create new and unique genre-defying music.

Using a variety of instrumentation – balafon, violins, cello, bass, percussion, upright and grand pianos, synthesiser, harmonium and more – Penguin Café bring an effervescent and thoughtful sound, as rich in poignancy and depth. 

Penguin Cafe play at The Apex on Tuesday, December 3, at 7.30pm. See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.