Bob Lanese

Bob Lanese (August 2, 1941 – April 9, 2024) was an American trumpet player who spent most of his career as a professional musician in Germany.

He earned a bachelor's degree in Science and Music Education at Ohio State University in 1962, and then became a member of the house band for the Alpine Village, a popular nightclub in Cleveland.

During the Vietnam War, he played with the Norad Commanders, a renowned American air defense big band.

In 1971, he toured Europe with the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Buddy DeFranco and became particularly enamored with the German port city of Hamburg.

For the next 30 years, he became primarily known as the lead trumpeter for the Last band, but also played many sessions for other German bandleaders like Kai Warner, Jo Ment, Frank Valdor, Max Greger and Bert Kaempfert.