Alfred Hause (August 8 1920 in Ibbenbüren, - January 14th 2005 in Hamburg) was a German violinist, conductor and musical director. The "German Tango King" played a big part in the reconstruction of musical culture in Germany after the Second World War. He created his legendary 'Continental Tango Sound'. He returned home in 1945 to join the Geiger Willy Steiner band. Steiner had a gig at that time in Hamburg for the North West German Radio NWDR. Hause was concertmaster and then led the string section. In 1948 he became head of the dance and entertainment of the orchestra NWDR. Became well known by his numerous radio and recordings, as well as appearances on TV shows of Peter Frankenfeld and Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff, and in the numerous radio broadcasts of Hans Rosenthal. In 1961 he formed his orchestra and recorded the title "Bailando a dos" which went to 1st place at the first Deutsche Schlager-Festival in Baden-Baden. 1965 and 1967 his orchestra had a successful tour of Japan, for Polydor in collaboration with the Nippon Grammophon Co. Since the late 50s he worked with James Last under the name Hans Last at NWDR as the arranger for Franz Thon and Alfred Hause. With NWDR (later NDR) he remained until his retirement in 1973. In 1996 he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit. His urn is located in the Chapel Columbarium 11 at the cemetery Ohlsdorf Hamburg. Search Amazon.com for Alfred Hause
