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The Night Owl EditionExtra
James
German composer and big band leader (1929–2015)
James Last was a German composer and big band leader of the James Last Orchestra. Initially a jazz bassist, his trademark "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom, with 65 of his albums reaching the charts in the UK alone.
His composition "Happy Heart" became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark.
awards: Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the State of Vienna, Goldene Stimmgabel, Goldene Stimmgabel, Echo Pop Honorary Award, Honorary Lock keeper
plays: double bass
member of: James Last Orchestra
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
germanjazzacoustic porridgeeasy listeningeuropean
The Broken RecordExtra
Early life
Last was born to Louis and Martha Last in Bremen, Germany. He was the younger brother of Robert Last and Werner Last (aka Kai Warner). His father worked for the public utility of the city of Bremen and Last grew up in the suburb of Sebaldsbrück. He began studying the piano at age 10, although he could play simple tunes such as the folk song "Hänschen klein" when he was 9. His first music teacher felt he lacked any musical talent. Last started playing more actively with his second tutor and switched to the double bass as a teenager. His home city of Bremen was bombed heavily during World War II, and he ran messages to air defence command posts during the raids. He entered the Bückeburg Military Music School of the German Wehrmacht at the...
