Last-Becker Ensemble was a German

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

group that was popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The band was formed in 1948 by

James Last James Last (, ; born Hans Last; 17 April 1929 – 9 June 2015), also known as Hansi, was a German composer and big band leader of the James Last Orchestra. Initially a jazz bassist (Last won the award for "best bassist" in Germany in each of ...

(bass) and included his brothers Werner Last (trombone and accordion) and Robert Last (drums). The six piece band was also included Karl-Heinz Becker (saxophone), Heinz Schultze (guitar) and Helmut Zacharias (violin). In 1950, James was voted as the best jazz bassist in Germany an award he won again in 1951 and 1952. The band, which was an offshoot of the Radio Bremen dance orchestra conducted by Hans-Gunther Oesterreich, broke up in 1956. The group is now known more for the later successes of its members after the group's break-up. James Last became a bandleader, selling millions of records. Werner Last also found success as a bandleader under the name Kai Warner. Robert Last was the drummer for both of his brothers' bands and also formed his own studio band. Heinz Schultze played guitar for the Last brothers in their respective orchestras. Helmut Zacharias became an internationally known pop-jazz violin soloist; his records were arranged by James.

References

{{Authority control German jazz ensembles

See also

References