The German musician Kai Warner was the stage name of Werner Last, born in Bremen, on October 27, 1926 and died on July 9, 1982. He was the brother of conductor James Last and Robert Last (drummer).
Warner took piano lessons from Ernst Weelen and received theoretical instruction from Richard Bulling, a student of Max Reger and Engelbert Humperdinck.
After the war, Werner Last appeared as a trombonist together with his brothers Hans (bassist, later known as James Last) and Robert Last in the music halls of Bremen and in the American clubs in nearby Bremerhaven.
At this time he was discovered by composer and impresario Friedrich Meyer and hired into the newly formed dance orchestra of Radio Bremen. The Last Brothers became known as members of the Last-Becker Ensemble.
Werner Last found his first success as an arranger. After the dissolution of the Bremen dance orchestra in 1948, he played for a while in a 12-piece band, then went to seek his fortune in the USA.
In the US, Warner had to earn a living as a casual worker for several months before being admitted to the New York musicians' union. As a trombonist, he belonged to several renowned big bands. Additionally, he studied music theory at New York University with Schillinger professor Rudolf Schramm.
In 1958, Warner Last returned to Germany and arranged numerous film soundtracks. In 1966 he signed as a producer with Polydor; he discovered and produced Renate Kern.
As Kai Warner, he started his own orchestra, which included many musicians who had played with James Last (such as his brother Robert Last, who had previously played drums on James Last's early sessions).
In 1975, Kai Warner moved from Polydor to Philips. In addition to his LPs such as Pops For Minis, Happy Together, Goldtimer 1 and 2, his name is forever linked to the Go-In series, which later continued at 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, of course, 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 by just a rhythm section, as Ray Conniff often did on his 1970s albums. He died in Hamburg at the age of 55.
Below are the songs that make up the album selection in the post:
01. Can't buy me love:
02. Michelle;
03. Eight days a week;
04. Let it be;
05. Hey Jude;
06. Get back;
07. A hard days night;
08. Yesterday;
09. Lady Madonna;
10. We can work it out;
11. With a little help from my friends;
12. Penny Lane
Links:
KAY WARNER - DANCE TO THE BEATLES
