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Simon Jeffes

1949 – 1997

English classically trained guitarist, composer and arranger

Guitarist Composer Classical guitarist
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About Simon Jeffes

Lived 1949 – 1997 (aged 48). Simon Jeffes was a British guitarist, composer, classical guitarist and musician, known for Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Simon Harry Piers Jeffes (19 February 1949 – 11 December 1997) was an English classically trained guitarist, composer and arranger. He formed, and was the primary performer of, the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. He was the composer of the ballet Still Life at the Penguin Cafe, of the much-recorded piece Music for a Found Harmonium, and other music recorded by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

He is also known for assisting Sex Pistols producer Bill Price with the string arrangement for the Sid Vicious version of "My Way" which reached #7 on the UK singles charts as part of The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle soundtrack.

A recording of piano works by Jeffes, Piano Music, was released by Zopf Records in 1998.

Life and death Jeffes was born at the Montalan Nursing Home, Crawley, Sussex, on 19 February 1949, the son of James Henry Elliston Jeffes, a research chemist, and his wife, Anne Hope Madeline Jeffes (née Clutterbuck).

Jeffes is the father of Arthur Jeffes, who is continuing his father's musical work with Penguin Cafe.

Jeffes died of an inoperable brain tumor on 11 December 1997 in Taunton, leading to the dissolution of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Known for
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Also known as
Simon Harry Piers Jeffes

People in Simon Jeffes's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Simon Jeffes's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Simon Jeffes?

English classically trained guitarist, composer and arranger (1949-1997)

When was Simon Jeffes born?

Simon Jeffes was born on 19 February 1949 in Crawley.

When did Simon Jeffes die?

Simon Jeffes died on 11 December 1997 in Taunton.

What was Simon Jeffes's occupation?

Simon Jeffes was a guitarist, composer, classical guitarist and musician.

What was Simon Jeffes known for?

Simon Jeffes was known for Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

What nationality was Simon Jeffes?

Simon Jeffes was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Simon Jeffes

· Wikidata: Q7519063

· DBpedia: Simon Jeffes

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Simon Jeffes. https://biography.guide/simon-jeffes/

MLA: "Simon Jeffes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/simon-jeffes/.

Chicago: "Simon Jeffes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/simon-jeffes/.

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