Arthur Jeffes is the son of Simon Jeffes, founder of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and he grew up listening to his dad's charming, quirky and inventive "imaginary folk music". The band folded when Simon Jeffes died in 1997, and apart from a tribute reunion in 2007 his music has not been heard live since.
Now, his son has put together a 10-piece band to play the old Penguin Cafe favourites, along with his own compositions - but he has done so just as four members of his dad's former band are doing the same thing with a rival group, the Anteaters. Penguin politics may be frosty, but what's important is that Simon Jeffes's music is being heard again. His son's band lacked the easy confidence of the original members, but this was only their second performance, and the ICA crowd loved them.
After all, they had some great music to perform, starting with Penguin Cafe Single and moving on to Music for a Found Harmonium and Giles Farnaby's Dream. Arthur constantly switched instruments, from piano to cuatro to percussion, leading a lineup that included cello, violin, ukulele and double bass, though no brass. He also played three impressive compositions of his own, including the sturdy, rhythmic piano solo Harry Piers (his father's middle names). These new Penguins promise to be more than just a tribute band.