Ondioline Orchestra is a new ensemble dedicated to preserving and extending the legacy of French inventor Georges Jenny’s remarkable electronic musical instrument, the Ondioline.  Brought together by Wally De Backer (a budding Ondiolinist, but better-known as Grammy Award-winning alternative pop artist Gotye) the group also features leading thereminist/keyboardist Rob Schwimmer, vintage synth specialist and ex-Psychedelic Furs member Joe McGinty, as well as members of acclaimed alternative band Zammuto.

The ensemble showcases multiple restored Ondiolines alongside other early electronic musical instruments including vintage theremins and Moog synthesizers.

In their debut performances, Ondioline Orchestra present a tribute to Jean-Jacques Perrey, alternative pop visionary, pioneer of rhythmic tape editing techniques, and virtuoso of the rare French electronic musical instrument, the Ondioline.

The shows will feature a carefully curated selection of Jean-Jacques’ best-known songs (from much-sampled Moogfunk classic E.V.A, to collaborations with Gershon Kingsley such as Spooks in Space and Swan’s Splashdown) alongside ultra rare pieces co-written with Angelo Badalamenti and Billy Goldenberg that haven’t been performed for over half a century.

The ensemble performs all sounds live, including Jean-Jacques’ signature sample sounds, classic Moog patches, and a rich variety of Ondioline timbres on fully-restored original instruments.