Kai Warner (born Werner Last, October 27, 1926 – July 9, 1982) was a German orchestra leader, composer, and arranger, best known for his work in easy listening, big band, and pop orchestral music. Born in Bremen, Germany, he was the older brother of bandleaders James Last and Robert Last.
Warner began his career as a pianist and arranger, eventually leading his own orchestras in the 1960s and 1970s. His signature sound blended swing, light jazz, and pop, often featuring lush string arrangements and choral elements. He gained international recognition with albums such as Golden Hits for Dancing and Happy Together.
In addition to his solo projects, Warner was a prolific producer and arranger for various artists, contributing to the popularity of orchestral pop and dance music in Europe. His recordings were particularly successful in Germany and the UK, where he was associated with the thriving easy listening and ballroom dance music scene.
Though he passed away in 1982, Kai Warner’s music remains a staple of classic instrumental pop, continuing to appeal to fans of orchestral dance and lounge music.
132 recordings by Kai Warner you can hear at Instrumentals Forever:
A Whiter Shade Of Pale • After You’ve Gone • Ah Maria Mari • Als Op Capri De Rozentuinen Bloeien – Zonnig Madeira – Veel Mooier Dan Het Mooiste Schilderij • Als Sterren Flonk’ren – Een Heel Klein Huisje Met Een Tuintje – Ik Heb Een Huis Met Een Tuintje • Am Stillen Herd In Winterzeit (Wagner) • Andalucia • Another Star • April In Paris • Arrivederci • Avaa Sydamesi Mulle – Kalliolle Kukkulalle – Viimeinen Kevat • Ave Maria No Morro • Besame Mucho • Bim Bam Bum • Black Bottom – Margie -Somebody Stole My Gal – I’m Sitting On Top Of The World • Blue Hawaii • Blue Moon • C Jam Blues • Cachita • Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe • Capri Serenade • Capri-Fischer • Caravan • Carolina In The Morning – Ain’t She Sweet – Virginia • Charly • Daa-Da-Daa-Da – Jos Jotain Yrittaa – Katupoikien Laulu • Dance The Kung Fu • Dancing In The Dark • Dancing On The Shore • Dancing On The Shore • Daylight Boogie • De Postkoets – Hotsjek – Flip De Fluiter • Dir Töne Lobt (Wagner) • Do You Ever Think Of Me – Whispering – Siboney • Doctor’s Orders • Dreaming Desert • Eens Zal De Betuwe – Breng Eens Een Zonnetje – Ik Ben Verliefd Op Een Keukenmeid • Einzug Der Gäste Auf Der Wartburg (Wagner) • El Garbanzo • Elise • Eso Es El Amor • Funky Harem • Gringo • Hallelujah – ‘s Wonderful – Happy Days Are Here Again • He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother • Heili Karjalasta – Puuseppa • I Can’t Give You Anything But Love – Salome – Yes Sir That’s My Baby • I Get A Kick Out Of You • I Kiss Your Hand Madame – Handsome Gigolo • I Love Paris • I Want To Be Happy – Who – Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue • In A Persian Market • In A Persian Market • Indian Love Call – With A Song In My Heart • It Had To Be You – Diane – Makin’ Whoopee • Jamal (Young Love) • Jezebel • Jos Viela Oot Vapaa – Sanat Eivat Riita Kertomaan – Anna Kaikkien Kukkien Kukkia • Juanita • Jungle-Drums • La Golondrina • Lemona • Lied an den Abendstern (Wagner) • Lisbon Antiqua • Little Susu • Lohengrin (Wagner) • Lotar’s Theme • Love`s Theme • Love’s Theme • Madalena • Magic Is The Moonlight • Memories Of Napoli • Mexican Hat Dance • Middellandse Zee – Marigot – Deep In Mijn Hart • Morgendlich Leuchtend In Rosigem Schein (Wagner) • Mustapha • My Funny Valentine • My Heart Belongs To Daddy • My Prayer • Nightingale • Noche De Ronda • On The Road To Philadelphia • Orientale • Over 25 Jaar – Op De Woelige Baren • Rio Rita – Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me – Toot, Toot, Tootsie • River Song • Rose Marie – Me And My Shadow • Ruusut Hopeamaljassa – Lakeuden Kutsu • Sabre Dance (Säbeltanz) • Santa Lucia • Satin Doll • Seasons In The Sun • Seemann • September Song • September Song • Shame, Shame, Shame • Shish-Kebab • Show Me The Way To Go Home – Ay, Ay, Ay – Farewell Blues • Silence Is Golden • Snoezepoes – Door De Nacht Klinkt Een Lied – Dag Schatteboutje • So In Love • St. Pauli Ja Reeperbahn – Tositrkoituksin – Poing Poing Poing • Stardust – Creole Love Call • Steuermannlied (Wagner) • Stompin’ At The Savoy • Strike Up The Band – Charleston – When The Saints Go Marching In • Sweet Georgia Brown • Sweet Sue – Who’s Sorry Now – Some Of These Days • ‘t Was Een Zomernachtsfeest – Bloesem Van Seringen • T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia) • Taboo • Tannhäuser (Wagner) • Tea For Two – My Melancholy Baby – The Birth Of The Blues • The Belly Dancer • The Conquest Of The Moon • The Most Beautiful Girl • Treulich Geführt Ziehet Dahin (Wagner) • Tulipunaruusut – Odessa – Kissankultaa • Tuxedo Junction • Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um • Uudelleen Jos Luokses Tulla Voisin – Ei Kauniimpaa – Sininen Ja Valkoinen • Vain Elamaa – Lievestuoren Liisa – Las Palmas • Vangin Toive – Perhonen – Rakkaus Syttyy, Rakkaus Sammuu • Weet Je Nog Wel, Die Avond In De Regen – M’n Eerste – De Olieman • Wein Und Brot Des Letzten Mahles (Wagner) • Wenn Der Weisse Flieder Wieder Blüht – My Bonnie Is Over The Ocean – Down By The Riverside • When Day Is Done – Take Me In Your Arms – Auf Wiederseh’n My Dear • When You’re Smiling – Say It With Music – If You Knew Suzie • Where Or When • Winter’s Spring • Winterstürme Wichen Dem Wonnemond (Wagner) • Zuiderzee Blues – Zuiderzee Ballade – Een Dansliedje Deint •
