Last-Becker Ensemble

Last-Becker Ensemble was a German jazz group that was popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Formed in 1948 as an offshoot of the Radio Bremen dance orchestra conducted by Hans-Gunther Oesterreich, the group is now known more for the later successes of its members after the group's break-up in 1953.

The personnel was: Hans Last, bass; Werner Last, trombone and accordion; Robert Last, drums; Karl-Heinz Becker, saxophone; Heinz Schultze, guitar; and Helmut Zacharias, violin. Hans Last went on to become James Last, million-selling bandleader. 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 Hans Last. One example of the respect that fellow German musicians had for the Last-Becker Ensemble was the fact that from 1950 to 1953, Hans Last was selected annually by the German Jazz Poll as the best bassist.

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