Günter Platzek
Encyclopedia
Günter Platzek was a German keyboard player. He became known for his longtime work with the James Last Orchestra
, of which he was a member from 1965 up until his death. He was also a member of the NDR
(Norddeutscher Rundfunk, or North German Radio) big band, the Alfred Hause tango orchestra and the Bert Kaempfert
orchestra. An accomplished keyboard, accordion and xylophone player, he formed an accordion duet group called The Pop Kids with fellow Last bandmate Harald Ende
. His work with James Last
featured his unique improvised piano phrases, which drew on jazz, blues and rock influences and were played with a distinctively dry staccato tone. During the 1980s, his accordion duet with Jo Ment
on the song "Biscaya" became a highlight of James Last
's live concerts. He died from a heart attack in 1990.
James Last Orchestra
The James Last Orchestra is a German big-band orchestra with strings. The orchestra was established in 1964 as a studio orchestra, led by jazz musician Hans Last...
, of which he was a member from 1965 up until his death. He was also a member of the NDR
NDR
NDR may refer to:* Numalian Democratic Republic a Micronation within the borders of Malaysia.* Nador International Airport — IATA code Morocan airport* National Derby Rallies...
(Norddeutscher Rundfunk, or North German Radio) big band, the Alfred Hause tango orchestra and the Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
orchestra. An accomplished keyboard, accordion and xylophone player, he formed an accordion duet group called The Pop Kids with fellow Last bandmate Harald Ende
Harald Ende
Harald Ende is a German saxophone, flute and accordion player who was active in the Hamburg music scene from the 1950s to the 1990s. He attended the local music school and was trained as a classical clarinetist. However, upon graduating, he soon found that in order to get steady work, he had to...
. His work with James Last
James Last
James Last is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark...
featured his unique improvised piano phrases, which drew on jazz, blues and rock influences and were played with a distinctively dry staccato tone. During the 1980s, his accordion duet with Jo Ment
Jo Ment
Jo Ment was a German musician. Born Jochen Ment in 1923, he became a successful musician in Hamburg, Germany, showing proficiency on accordion and saxophone...
on the song "Biscaya" became a highlight of James Last
James Last
James Last is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark...
's live concerts. He died from a heart attack in 1990.