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Re-Releases
Bert
Kaempfert & His Orchestra
Release Date: October 15, 2010
Hold Me (1967)
CD # 274 633-7
The World We Knew (1967)
CD # 274 633-6
Love That Bert Kaempfert (1968)
CD # 274 633-5
My Way Of Life (1968)
CD # 274 633-9
One Lonely Night (1969)
CD # 274 633-3
Traces Of Love (1969)
CD # 274 633-4
Re-Releases
Bert
Kaempfert & His Orchestra
Release Date: May 7, 2010
Portugal Fado, Wine & Sunshine (1958)
CD # 272 249-4
Combo Capers (1960)
CD # 273 421-8
Dancing In Wonderland (1961)
CD # 273 624-3
Wonderland By Night (1961)
CD # 273 383-8
With A Sound In My Heart (1962)
CD # 273 417-5
A Swingin’ Safari (1962)
CD # 273 639-9
Living It Up (1963)
CD # 273 466-5
Dreaming In Wonderland (1963)
CD # 273 553-0
Blue Midnight (1964)
CD # 273 665-0
That Latin Feeling (1964)
CD # 273 569-1
Love Letters (1965)
CD # 273 659-1
The Magic Music Of Far Away Places (1965)
CD # 273 568-5
For more information about the CDs, click here
October 2009
BYE
BYE BLUES
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra
(Re-Release)
Polydor # 272 249-4
Release Date: October 16, 2009
Recorded 1965 at Studio Rahlstedt, Hamburg. The album originally released 1966 in Europe as BYE BYE BLUES (184046).
For more information about this CD, click here
STRANGERS
IN THE NIGHT
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra
(Re-Release)
Polydor # 272 248-5
Release Date: October 16, 2009
Recorded 1965 at Studio Rahlstedt, Hamburg. The Polydor album originally released 1966 in Europe as STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT (184053).
For more information about this CD, click here
„Strangers
in the Night -
The Bert Kaempfert Story”
Documentary of Marc Boettcher
NDR, August 13, 2009, 11.15 p.m.
The documentary film “Strangers In The Night - The Bert Kaempfert Story” of Marc Boettcher will be shown on German NDR television at 11.15 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2009.
In
memoriam ROLF AHRENS
On 19 March 2009 Bert Kaempfert’s long-time friend and associate passed away at the age of eighty-six.
The first time Rolf Ahrens and Bert Kaempfert’s paths met came at the end of World War II, when they played at, amongst other venues, the Tarantella Bar in Hamburg’s Hotel Esplanade. Very soon their relationship developed beyond a purely professional collaboration and the two musicians became close friends.
Rolf was present on drums not only when Bert Kaempfert made his first orchestral recordings in the fifties but also at all the recording sessions and live appearances that took place up until 1980. And it was Rolf’s very own style of drumming that contributed in no small way to the typical Kaempfert sound.
„When
my father died in 1980, Rolf withdrew from active life as a musician. ‘If
he’s no longer playing, then I don’t want to, either,’ he said,
and put his drum set up for sale. Even so, the friendship between Rolf, his family
and myself remained and, when we met, he would talk at length in his inimitably
humorous way about the early days together after the war. And so it was only
natural that he and his wife should play a valuable part in Marc Boettcher’s
biography of Bert Kaempfert. I look back on these times with gratitude, for Rolf
was always there to support me in both word and deed. I shall cherish his memory
and in the coming weeks post on our website an account of Rolf Ahrens’ multifaceted
life.”
Doris Kaempfert
October 2008
The date October 16, 2008 marked the 85th anniversary of Bert Kaempfert’s birth. The 85th anniversary of this internationally famous musician (d. 1980) was honoured in several ways.
ANNIVERSARY
CD:
The Complete Concert 1979
Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra – Live
Featuring Sylvia Vrethammar (voc),
Ack van Rooyen (tr,Flugelhorn),
Herb Geller (sax, fl), Jiggs Whigham (tb)
# 0-06025-1782617-5
Universal Music Domestic Pop/Mainstream
Release Date: September 28, 2008
The
CD is also available to vinyl fans as a double LP (#
178 261-8)
Although Bert Kaempfert had a live audio taping done in June
1979 in the context of the TV recording of Bert Kaempfert - In Concert, this
historic material was neither processed in its entirety nor was it ever released.
The
present anniversary CD, comprising 23 tracks, 11 of which have never been released
before, is dedicated to this fabulous musician and his fans.
For more information about this CD, click here
Interview with Doris Kaempfert (German): www.pure.de
ANNIVERSARY
CONCERT:
Strangers in the Night –
The Music of Bert Kaempfert
Jiggs Whigham directs the Berlin Jazz Orchestra and the Frankfurt Strings – together with star vocalists Sylvia Vrethammer, Marc Secara and the Berlin Voices as well as with some of Kaempfert’s former fellow musicians as soloists: Ladi Geisler, Ack van Rooyen and Herb Geller.
North-German Radio (NDR) staged an anniversary concert on 5 October in Hamburg’s Kehrwieder Theater. This was recorded live and broadcast as a major celebration at 8 p.m. on 19 October in the radio series Sonnatakte on NDR 90.3.
More Information: www.tag-der-deutschen-einheit-2008.de
From 11 p.m. until midnight on 11 October, Radio Berlin Brandenburg (rbb) in its radio series Late Night Jazz broadcast a recording of the concert given on 15 February in Berlin’s Grosser Sendesaal.
More Information: www.kulturradio.de
HAMBURG
PAYS TRIBUTE:
A Bert-Kaempfert-Platz for Hamburg
Bert-Kaempfert-Platz was officially opened at noon on 15 October
2008.
Following addresses given by Hamburg’s Senator for Culture, Karin
von Welck, and other leading representatives of the city, the new street sign
was then unveiled. All present were treated to a concert performed on the square
by the Hamburg Police Band directed by Kristine Kresge, after which the ceremony
drew to a close to the accompaniment of melodies by Bert Kaempfert and with the
serving of refreshments.
The official opening of Bert-Kaempfert-Platz was presented by NDR 90.3, with Friedhelm Mönter moderating. In the evening of the same day Friedhelm joined studio guests on NDR 90.3‘s Hamburg nach Sieben from 7 to 9 to share memories of Bert Kaempfert and to report on the opening of the square.
Bert-Kaempfert-Platz is in Hamburg’s Barmbek district,
where Bert Kaempfert was born. This square is situated between Fuhlsbüttler
Strasse, Wiesendamm and Poppenhusenstrasse and the decision to give it this name
was taken on 22 May 2008 at a meeting of Hamburg-Nord’s district council.
To view Bert-Kaempfert-Platz: openstreetmap.org
Further information:
TV report: N3 Hamburg
Jounal
Commemorative
Plaque for Bert Kaempfert
Unveiled on 21 June 2008
On the building housing the Spielbank Hamburg
The Working Group for Urban Development of the Patriotische Gesellschaft von 1765 has honoured the world-famous composer, arranger and bandleader Bert Kaempfert with a commemorative plaque. This was unveiled at 11 o’clock on 21 June 2008 on the building housing the Spielbank Hamburg at Stephansplatz 10. It was here in the Tarantella Bar of the former Hotel Esplanade where after the Second World War the musical career of the composer, arranger and bandleader began.
In
the presence of his family, friends and former colleagues, Dagmar Berghoff gave
a speech honouring Bert Kaempfert, and Ladi Geisler and Marc Secara, fellow musicians
of his, supplied the musical programme. The event was hosted by Gerd Spiekermann
of NDR 90.3.
For an enlarged view of the plaque
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT – THE MUSIC OF BERT KAEMPFERT
Four decades of Strangers in the Night was reason enough in 2006 to celebrate the music of Bert Kaempfert, that king of easy listening, with a superlative jubilee tour. This homage to Kaempfert and his music – live in concert – was staged in six select concert halls and was received with great enthusiasm.
More information on the 2006 concert tour here.
Concerts in 2008
We
are now pleased to announce more concert dates for 2008:
12 February – Frankfurt/Main – Alter
Oper
13 February – Hamburg – CCH 1
14 February – Düsseldorf – Tonhalle
15 February – Berlin – Main Hall RBB
(Radio
concert)
Tickets: → www.semmel.de
This time the fabulous Berlin Jazz Orchestra, with Jiggs Whigham at the helm, will be presenting Bert Kaempfert's internationally renowned compositions live in concert in 2008, once again along with the soloists and special guests who took part in the 2006 concert tour.
More Information on the 2008 concert tour click here.
July 2007
Marc
Almond – Stardom Road
# ZOM 577112 - Rough Trade
Release Date: July 06, 2007
Although British singer Marc Almond was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in October 2004, his comeback album "Stardom Road" has now been released, a moving album of covers with which Marc celebrates his survival. And one of his favourites chosen for this collection is the song Strangers In The Night.
Jetzt Order now
The
Anita Kerr Singers –
Bert Kaempfert Turns Us On
# WWCCM08132
Release Date: June 6, 2007
1968 saw the release of the album "Bert Kaempfert Turns Us On". The well-known American musician Anita Kerr arranged a selection of Kaempfert hits specially for her group of singers, as well as composing the song For Bert by way of homage. This outstanding production has now been put out on CD by Collectors' Choice in the USA and is also available here in Germany.
More Information about the CD click here.
Térez
Montcalm - Voodoo
# SFD 369042 - Dreyfus
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Canadian singer Térez Montcalm is (as yet) relatively unknown here in Germany, but this could easily change following the recent release of her CD "Voodoo" – an album of international calibre. Comprising a mix of her own compositions and covers, it opens with an alluring version of Bert Kaempfert's composition L.O.V.E.
Christopher Dell – The World We Knew
Celebrating Bert Kaempfert
# ACT 9449-2
Release Date: January 26, 2007
Well known in the jazz world as, i.a., a leading vibraphone player and winner of many an award over the years, Christopher Dell has collaborated with Siegfried Loch to produce this CD featuring an extremely fine line-up: Christof Lauer (saxophone), Carsten Daerr (piano), Oliver Potratz (bass), Eric Schäfer (drums) together with Ladi Geisler as guitarist, renowned from Bert Kaempfert's orchestra for his "Knackbass". Here Dell not only plays vibraphone but has arranged Kaempfert's songs in a style all of his own.
More Information about the CD click here.
November 2006
Strangers in the Night – The Music of Bert Kaempfert
The Concert Event of 2006
At
long last! After extensive and meticulous planning we have succeeded in arranging
for a concert event that is surely in a class of its own – a tribute
to Bert Kaempfert and his music.
For this occasion the top-class musicians of → Hessischer Rundfunk’s big band will be directed by → Jiggs Whigham. For many years a soloist with Bert Kaempfert, Jiggs has agreed to act as musical director for the entire concert.
“It’s only possible to realize such an extraordinary project if each and everyone involved, the producer and the promoter are prepared not only to put heart and soul into it but have within themselves a deep-rooted feeling for this marvellous music. It goes without saying that every single person must be totally committed, for only then will we succeed in forging a link to those concerts of the ’70s and to Bert Kaempfert. Together with our great respect for the fabulous contribution he made to music during his lifetime and borne along by the sheer pleasure derived from bringing it about, we shall take great delight in celebrating this concert event, to which we cordially invite all of Bert Kaempfert’s many fans.” (Doris Kaempfert)
Though officially chief conductor of Hessischer Rundfunk’s big band, Jörg Achim Keller has taken upon himself the task of arranger for this unique event – a fact which serves to underscore the versatility of this innovative musician, a man who not only repeatedly takes on new challenges but carries them off in masterly fashion as well. What is more, in order to recreate the authentic and unmistakable sound of the Bert Kaempfert orchestra, the big band will be transformed into a large orchestral ensemble through the addition of strings and the singers of the → Berlin Voices.
Adding the finishing touch to this concert will be an array of special guests including, amongst others, the virtuoso instrumentalists who also performed as soloists with Bert Kaempfert in his day: → Ack van Rooyen (flugelhorn / trumpet), → Herb Geller (saxophone / flute), Jiggs Whigham (trombone) and → Ladi Geisler (bass guitar).
→ Sylvia Vrethammar, the eminently likeable and superb jazz singer from Sweden, was invited by Bert Kaempfert to appear as guest star at his concerts as from 1979, since she performed his compositions in just the way he had envisaged. And it was not difficult to persuade Sylvia to join us as vocalist again: the soft spot she has for Bert’s songs remains with her to the present day.
The much-loved pianist and entertainer → Joja Wendt will be performing as soloist at the concert grand, whilst → Marc Secara will prove that Bert Kaempfert’s music is both timeless and transcends all generations.
November 21, 2006 - Hamburg - CCH Saal 1
November 22, 2006 - Hannover - Kuppelsaal
November 23, 2006 - München - Philharmonie
November 25, 2006 - Stuttgart - Liederhalle
November 26, 2006 - Leipzig - Gewandhaus
November 27, 2006 - Berlin - Friedrichstadt-Palast
Strangers
in the Night –
The Music of Bert Kaempfert
Directed by Jiggs Whigham & Special Guests
# 06 025 171 389 7 - Polydor
Release Date: November 17, 2006
Following the highly successful staging of a superlative concert, it was soon clear to everyone that this exceptional meeting of top-notch musicians just had to be preserved as a souvenir for all time. Hence the present CD, containing, as it does, a cross-section of this concert programme.
More Information about the CD click here.
Colour Collection – Bert Kaempfert
# 984 153-1 - Polydor
Release Date: September 2006
A delightful Easy Listening compilation!
More Information about the CD click here.
Bert Kaempfert – The many steps along his life's path
In an in-depth portrait of Bert Kaempfert, Hamburg music journalist and author
Bernd Matheja documents the stages in this artist's career, his musical influences
and personal achievements.
Click on “Biography” to view the many photographs and to read about the life of a composer who was born over eighty years ago in a working-class district of Hamburg.
November 2005
Originals-Boxset Vol. 2
Gallery / Golden Memories / Smile
3-CD-Digipack-Boxset
# 983 469 9 – Polydor
Release Date: November 11, 2005
The waiting's over! The BERT KAEMPFERT Originals Box Set Vol. 2 with three more albums from the '70s is being released by Polydor this November. It contains the original LPs Gallery, Golden Memories and, now on CD for the first time, Smile.
November 2004
Limited Edition:
DVD & CD - “Strangers in the Night -
The Bert Kaempfert Story”
Documentary by Marc Boettcher
DVD
– Video (2)
# 982 430 4, Polydor
Stereo-Typ: DVD 9, Dolby Digital
Languages: German, English
Duration: ca. 120 Min.
Release Date: November 01, 2004
The biography of the man whose ideas occupy a firm place in the annals of music history began more than eighty years ago in a working-class district of Hamburg.
In Marc Boettcher's documentary we hear from Bert Kaempfert's friends and companions, Freddy Quinn, Hildegard Knef and James Last, among others, as well as from members of the Kaempfert family.
The Limited Edition contains the DVD and a CD with twenty selected music titles from the film, played by Bert Kaempfert and his orchestra.
Click here for more information about the DVD
Originals-Boxset – Vol. 1
Bert Kaempfert Now! / Kaempfert '76 / To The Good Life
3-CD
Digipack Box Set
# 476 296 3 – Polydor
Release Date: November 29, 2004
Collectors and lovers of Bert Kaempfert's music have long been waiting for these three original albums from the 1970s to be rereleased – and here they are!
June 2004
DVD - Bert Kaempfert In Concert
DVD
– Video (5)
# 982 092 – 9 Polydor
Stereo Upmix 5.1 Surround
Release Date: June 21, 2004
In November 1979 Bert Kaempfert and his 40-strong orchestra went on tour and featuring soloists Ack van Rooyen on trumpet, Jiggs Whigham on trombone and Swedish jazz singer Sylvia Vrethammar. This tour had been preceded by a concert given on 20 June in Neu-Isenburg's Hugenottenhalle, which Hessen Radio happened to record for television, thus making it possible, ten years later, to transfer this now historic recording on to video disc. Requiring complex digital audio-master processing, the task was carried out in London's Mayfair Studios by John Hudson, one of the world's leading sound engineers. In April 1991 the video disc was replaced by a video cassette.
We are very pleased that “the concert event of the year”, as it was described in the press at that time, is now available on DVD.
Click here for more information about the DVD.
October 2003
„Strangers in the Night - The Bert Kaempfert Story”
Documentary film by Marc Boettcher
The
documentary film about the world famous orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert was premiered
on the occasion of the 45th Nordic Film Festival
in Lubeck on October 30 at 4.00 p.m.
The film had also been shown on NDR television on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 10.00 p.m.
Click here for more Information or visit www.boettcher-film.de.
„Bert Kaempfert In London -
Live At The Royal Albert Hall” / 2-CD-Set
(#
981157-0 - Polydor)
Released: October 6, 2003
Polydor had released this high-quality, newly arranged double CD of the legendary 1974 concert in the Royal Albert Hall, London. The live concert in its entire length, with 14 previously unreleased songs, was recently remixed at great expense in a special studio by Bert Kaempfert’s sound engineer, Peter Klemt.
Click here for more information about the CD-Set.
„Remember When... –
Paul Kuhn Meets Bert Kaempfert”
(Edel
Records)
Released: October 20, 2003
In 2000, the idea of paying homage to a great composer is born. From the wealth of compositions that Bert Kaempfert wrote during his lifetime, Paul Kuhn selects some of the great instrumental hits and some wonderful songs that were interpreted by the greatest American stars at that time. Paul Kuhn writes excellent new arrangements for the selected repertoire.
Click here for more information about the CD.
“Play it again, Fips!”
At
an exclusive gala held on Thursday, 16 October 2003, former musical companions,
friends and relatives honoured the memory of the composer Bert Kaempfert. In remembrance
of which, Kaempfert’s daughter Doris had invited everyone to the Stage Club
at Hamburg’s Neue Flora music theatre.
Click here for more information about the gala.
Golden Gramophone
On October 16, 2003, the Polydor Island Group was awarded the Golden Gramophone to Bert Kaempfert posthumously in recognition of his life’s work.
„Spanish Eyes” – Various Artist
(Bear
Family Records)
Released: October 16, 2003
In October 2003, Bear Family Records had released a CD with 24 remarkable versions of Moon Over Naples (Spanish Eyes). The exciting story of the complicated launch of this evergreen has been documented in a comprehensive booklet.
Click here for more information about the CD.
September 2003
“Wunderland bei Nacht” / 3-CD box set
(#
9809939 – Polydor)
Released: September 8, 2003
The 3-CD box “Wunderland bei Nacht” was released under the Polydor label. The box contains the original LPs “Wonderland By Night” and “With A Sound In My Heart” – now available for the first time on CD in Germany – as well as the album “Living It Up”.
DVD – “The Beatles With Tony Sheridan”
The Early Days in Hamburg – A Documentary
(#
980 883-6 - Polydor)
Released: September 29, 2003
On the DVD “The Beatles With Tony Sheridan”, released by Polydor, Tony Sheridan and many other contemporary witnesses recall those early appearances, impressively portraying the then music scene in Hamburg. Not only is the music set off with a fascinating sequence of Beatles photos, this DVD also includes some rare Super 8 footage with Bert Kaempfert.
Fifth
BMI Award for Spanish Eyes
The American copyright organization BMI annually presents the BMI Award at the famous BMI dinner, each for 1 million radio and TV performances. On September 16, 2003, Bert Kaempfert was awarded the 5th Award posthumously for the song Spanish Eyes.
“The Bert Kaempfert Story –
A Musical Biography” / Double LP (Vinyl)
The
last CD to be released, “The Bert Kaempfert Story – A Musical
Biography”, is a complete success. Now the popular CD is also available
to all vinyl fans as a double LP. With lots of recordings by Bert Kaempfert
and his Orchestra, as well as international stars who sing and play his
hits. Click here for
details of song titles.
Click here for more information about the CD.
February 2003
About Schmidt – DVD
Motion picture starring Jack Nicholson
The
US box office success, a tragic comedy for which actor Jack Nicholson received
the Golden Globe Award for best leading actor for his part as Warren Schmidt,
hit German screens on February 27, 2003. This excellent soundtrack includes
the track Afrikaan Beat by Bert Kaempfert,
which is also featured on the album entitled Afrikaan
Beat (# NLR 39022).
December 2002
“Die
Bert Kaempfert Story” as a book
At the end of 2002, eva (Europäische Verlagsanstalt)
published the biography long awaited by many Kaempfert fans under the title
of “Stranger In The Night – Die Bert Kaempfert Story”.
The book comes with a free CD with rare and even with some previously unreleased
recordings and interviews, which is a special treat for all fans and music
lovers.
The book is only available in German.
Click here for more information.
TV programme:
19.10.2003, ZDF 3.00 p.m. – Sylvia Vrethammar sings a musical number from the legendary London concert in 1979 on the program “ZDF-Wunschkonzert”, and she talks about working with Bert Kaempfert.
27.10.2003, NDR 10.30 p.m. – The program “Kulturjournal” reports about the 80th birthday of Bert Kaempfert at 10.30 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2003.
22.11.2003, NDR 10.00 p.m. – “Strangers In The Night - Die Bert Kaempfert Story” will be shown on NDR television at 22.00 on Saturday, November 22, 2003.
