Kai Warner

Kai Warner (born October 27, 1926 in Bremen, died July 9, 1982in Hamburg), real name Werner Last, was a German musician.

Warner took piano lessons from Ernst Weelen and receivedtheory instruction from the Reger and Humperdinck student
Richard Bulling.

After the war, Werner Last appeared as a trombonist along withhis brothers Hans (bassist, later known as James Last) and
Robert Last (drummer) in Bremen music halls and in theAmerican clubs in the vicinity of Bremerhaven. At this point, hewas discovered by the composer and manager Friedrich Meyerand hired for the newly-formed dance orchestra of RadioBremen. The Last brothers became well-known as members ofthe Last-Becker Ensemble. Werner Last found his first successas an arranger. After the disbandment of the Bremen danceorchestra in 1948, he played for a time in a 12-man band, thenwent to seek his fortune in the USA. Before this, he married the18-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 labourerfor several months before he was admitted into the New Yorkmusician's union. As a trombonist, he belonged to severalrenowned 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 arrangednumerous film scores. In 1966 he signed a contract as aproducer with Polydor; he discovered and produced Renate Kern. As Kai Warner, he started his own orchestra, whichincluded many musicians who played with James Last (such ashis brother Robert Last, who had already played drums on theearliest James Last sessions). In 1975, Kai Warner switchedfrom Polydor to Philips.

Besides his LPs like Pops For Minis, Happy Together, Goldtimer1 and 2, his name is forever linked with the Go-In series, whichcontinued later on Philips under the name Go-In Party.

Other albums: So In Love, Love Songs, Romantic Songs, Werrecht in Freuden tanzen will, Warner Plays Wagner, GoldenViolins, Volkslieder Festival, On The Road To Philadelphia,Swingin' Johann, Salsoul Explosion, A Glass Of Champagne,Dance To The Beatles, Zum Tanz Marsch Marsch, Polka wienoch nie, Oriental Nights, It's Country Time, and naturally theChristmas album Christmas Party.

He also made several recordings with his Kai Warner Singers, amixed choir made up of six women and six men oftenaccompanied only by a rhythm section, like Ray Conniff used to do it in his 70s albums.