Kai Warner was
the stage name of Werner Last (27 October 1926 – 9 July 1982), a German
bandleader and musician, and the brother of James Last and Robert Last.
Born in
Bremen, Warner took piano lessons from Ernst Weelen and received theory
instruction from the Max Reger and Engelbert Humperdinck student Richard
Bulling.
After the war,
Werner Last appeared as a trombonist along with his brothers Hans (bassist,
later known as James Last) and Robert Last (drummer) in Bremen music halls and
in the American clubs in the vicinity of Bremerhaven. At this point, he was
discovered by the composer and manager Friedrich Meyer and hired for the newly
formed dance orchestra of Radio Bremen.
The Last
brothers became well known as members of the Last-Becker Ensemble. Werner Last
found his first success as an arranger. After the disbandment of the Bremen
dance orchestra in 1948, he played for a time in a 12-man band, then went to
seek his fortune in the USA. Before this, he married the 18-year-old Hjördis
Harlow, an American of Norwegian descent. From this marriage came two sons,
Steven and Werner.
In the USA,
Werner had to make his living as a casual labourer for several months before he
was admitted into the New York musician's union. As a trombonist, he belonged
to several renowned big bands. As well, he studied music theory at New York
University with Schillinger professor Rudolf Schramm.
In 1958,
Werner Last returned to Germany and arranged numerous film scores. In 1966 he
signed a contract as a producer with Polydor; he discovered and produced Renate
Kern. As Kai Warner, he started his own orchestra, which included many
musicians who played with James Last (such as his brother Robert Last, who had
already played drums on the earliest James Last sessions). In 1975, Kai Warner
switched from Polydor to Philips.
Besides his
LPs like Pops For Minis, Happy Together, Goldtimer 1 and 2, his name is forever
linked with the Go-In series, which continued later on Philips under the name
Go-In Party.
Other albums:
So In Love, Love Songs, Romantic Songs, Wer recht in Freuden tanzen will,
Warner Plays Wagner, Golden Violins, Volkslieder Festival, On The Road To
Philadelphia, Swingin' Johann, Salsoul Explosion, A Glass Of Champagne, Dance
To The Beatles, Zum Tanz Marsch Marsch, Polka wie noch nie, Oriental Nights,
It's Country Time, and naturally the Christmas album Christmas Party.
He also made
several recordings with his Kai Warner Singers, a mixed choir made up of six
women and six men often accompanied only by a rhythm section, like Ray Conniff
used to do it in his 70s albums.
1 comment:
For Kai Warner - ''The Fantastic Sound Of...'' go here:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/f579o3zqz6swl0x/Kai%20Warner_Fantastic_Sound.rar
01.The Conquest Of The Moon
02.Whispering
03.Flamingo
04.Sweet Sue, Just You~ Who's Sorry Now~Some Of These Days
05.On A Persian Market
06.Rio Rita ~ Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me ~Toot Toot Tootsie
07.My Prayer
08.Dancing On The Shore
09.Tea For Two~My Melancholy Baby~The Birth Of The Blues
10.Work Song
11.It Had To Be You ~Diane~Makin' Whoopee
12.Pueblo Bossa (with Tommy Reilly)
13.Summerwind
14.September Song
15.Canadian Sunset (with Tommy Reilly)
16.April In Paris
17.Melody Fair (with Tommy Reilly)
18.Star Dust~Creole Love Call
A big thank you to Forgotten Masterpieces Blog for original link.
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