2002 Tour

James Last and his Orchestra

A "family gathering" of the musical kind

48 musicians from 17 nations - the James Last Orchestra is truly a melting pot of musical talent and temperament. And the best proof that excellent artistic personalities can form an absolutely harmonious team. The youngest band member is 17 years old, orchestra leader Last is the oldest at 72. Generation conflicts? Wrong! While many boy or girl groups already break up after one or two years of mutual music making - the James Last Orchestra is a committed team, many musicians have been part of the band for half of their life. Jochen Ment, for example, whose bandoneon sounds made the track "Biscaya "unforgettable, bassist "Benny" Bendorff and Tommy Eggert on the synthesiser, to name but a few. Of course, new members also have a chance. They are welcomed like members of the family - warmly and with respect. A good team, but not an elite club which closes itself off! It is inevitable because for practically all the orchestra members there is also another artistic life alongside the James Last Orchestra - as successful soloists, studio musicians or commitments to other renowned orchestras.

Everybody is allowed to demonstrate what they can do

The motor of the orchestra, deemed the most famous in the world, is unmistakably the master himself: his power, his hard work, his creativity and his perfectionism impress us all. When "Hansi" calls band members to the studio or on tour, everybody agrees - all other jobs are of minor importance.
"Studio dates and tours are like big family gatherings", emphasises bandleader James Last, and those who have experienced that everybody, however much elan and fun - regardless of appointment stress - is concentrated on the task, believe it too.
The bandleader thanks his big "family", by tailoring his arrangements: "I can write specifically down to the different types of musicians. So that no-one has to play anything that does not suit them." Everybody is allowed to demonstrate what they can do, everybody gets a chance to prove their ability - that is the philosophy. The leader thus proves his skill not only in the selection of the songs but also the arrangements in which he - like a good coach - draws out the strengths of his team.

The 2002 Tour contingent

Nine wind musicians, two guitarists, a pianist, a drummer, two percussionists, a bass player, two synthesiser profis, a bandoneonist and six singers belong - according to the current situation - to the 2002 Tour contingent, not to forget the 16 string musicians, who make the James Last sound so inimitable. They will be together on tour one month long - in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The fixed mutual shows will not only consist of the evening shows but also the morning round on the golf course. For, meanwhile, most of the musicians share the bandleader's enthusiasm for the green sport. And that is also a gauge for the atmosphere in the orchestra: the chemistry is right - professionally and privately.

Line up:
! Changes possible !