Uploaded August 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
MFF :The euphonium has been called the "king of band instruments", or the "cello of the band", because of its similarity in timbre and ensemble role to the stringed instrument. Euphoniums typically have extremely important parts in many marches (such as those by John Philip Sousa), and in brass band music of the British tradition. Many different types of euphoniums exist which sometimes leads to confusion - mainly with types of horns.
KAI WARNER
Kai Warner was the stage name of Werner Last - a German bandleader and musician. He is 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.
Kai Warner also appeared on German TV now and then, often as a stand-in for his brother James Last (for instance in the popular ZDF show of the seventies "Star Parade").
DID YOU KNOW ?
A line in the song's lyrics of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris" inspired the title of a 1964 movie = "Paris When It Sizzles."
The song was published in 1953.
MHO
The undeniable style of Kai Warner can be recognized immediately here : the use of vibraphone, wordless choral back up by his "singers" and the fabulous brass arrangement in an up tempo manner, are all typical elements of the "Kai Warner Sound".
I personally remember the first time I ever heard this version (on a dusty LP back in the 1970s) and I also remember playing it over and over again, because I liked the arrangement so much and the "joie de vivre" (to stay in the French mood ;) that seemed to be spread by this recording.
So, it's "memories time" for me (once more ;) and maybe ..... for you as well .... ? Enjoy !
MFF :The euphonium has been called the "king of band instruments", or the "cello of the band", because of its similarity in timbre and ensemble role to the stringed instrument. Euphoniums typically have extremely important parts in many marches (such as those by John Philip Sousa), and in brass band music of the British tradition. Many different types of euphoniums exist which sometimes leads to confusion - mainly with types of horns.
KAI WARNER
Kai Warner was the stage name of Werner Last - a German bandleader and musician. He is 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.
Kai Warner also appeared on German TV now and then, often as a stand-in for his brother James Last (for instance in the popular ZDF show of the seventies "Star Parade").
DID YOU KNOW ?
A line in the song's lyrics of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris" inspired the title of a 1964 movie = "Paris When It Sizzles."
The song was published in 1953.
MHO
The undeniable style of Kai Warner can be recognized immediately here : the use of vibraphone, wordless choral back up by his "singers" and the fabulous brass arrangement in an up tempo manner, are all typical elements of the "Kai Warner Sound".
I personally remember the first time I ever heard this version (on a dusty LP back in the 1970s) and I also remember playing it over and over again, because I liked the arrangement so much and the "joie de vivre" (to stay in the French mood ;) that seemed to be spread by this recording.
So, it's "memories time" for me (once more ;) and maybe ..... for you as well .... ? Enjoy !
