After studying clarinet and piano in Essen, he set up his multicultural big band, which over the years would include many jazz musicians who were well known in Europe, including Francy Boland (who would later set up his own), Ron Simmonds Charly Antolini, Jiggs Whigham, Claus Ogerman, Jimmy Deuchar, Duško Gojković, Rick Kiefer, Ronnie Stephenson, Gerd Dudek, Wilton Gaynair, Derek Humble, Shake Keane and Tubby Hayes.
He spent the first half of the 1970s as a member of the James Last Orchestra, as well as with the Peter Herbolzheimer band, and from the late 70s onwards became a permanent member of the WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk, or West German Radio) big band.
Rick Ross | Rick Perry | Rick Dees | Rick Santorum | Rick Rubin | Rick Moody | Rick Wakeman | Rick James | Rick Danko | Kiefer Sutherland | Rick Astley | Rick Wagoner | Rick Springfield | Rick Snyder | Rick Scott | Rick Ross (rapper) | Rick Trevino | Rick Derringer | Rick Warren | Rick Reilly | Rick Prelinger | Rick Nowels | Rick Mercer | Rick Buckler | Rick Sternbach | Rick Smolan | Rick Riordan | Rick Lazio | Anselm Kiefer | Rick Stein |
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Lanese was one of a group of local trumpet players who would eventually play in the James Last Orchestra in Germany, the others being Rick Kiefer, Bob Findley and Chuck Findley.