On Jan 4 2013, the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel hosted a Pre-95th Birthday Breakfast for Dal Richards in the Panorama Roof (top of the hotel) where Dal and his orchestra played for 25 years. Members of his band and many close friends were there to help Dal celebrate. City TV covered the party live on their Breakfast Television show and has now posted a video of the event on their website. Follow the link below (which opens with 2 commercials and in a new browser page) and watch the Pre-95th Birthday tribute to Dal.Dal Richards Pre-95th Birthday Tribute at Panorama Roof
Dal Richards Sets Guinness World Record At Magee!
On May 31 2012, legendary band leader Dal Richards raised his baton to focus the Magee Jazz Band for their performance in a concert at Magee Secondary School auditorium. At the conclusion of his performance, Dal set a new Guinness World Record of 75 Years for “Longest lapsed time between performances by a high school band leader”. As a grade 11 student, Dal founded the Magee Jazz Band in 1935 and last led it at his senior matriculation graduation in 1937.
The near-capacity audience of 500 included: Jimmy Pattison, Chair, and Amanda Mochan, Client Services Manager, Guinness World Records; VSB Chair Patti Bacchus and Trustees Allan Wong and Fraser Ballantyne; Magee Principal Marea Jensen, and Vice-Principals Nick Akrap and Rupi Samra-Gyname; Magee Alumni, Teachers, Students, and friends of all ages.
Amanda Mochan, Client Services Manager, and Jimmy Pattison, Chair, Guinness World Records presented the Guinness World Record Certificate to Dal as Dal’s wife, Muriel Honey led the applause.
The concert began with several pieces by the Magee Senior Choir and the String Orchestra under the leadership of Greg Quan, Artistic Director of Choirs and Orchestra.
The Wind Ensemble and Senior Jazz Band followed under the hand of Chris Haas, Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Head at Magee (seen below with Dal).
Magee student Sarah Sum sang "Mac The Knife" with the Magee Jazz Band, which included guest performers from the Dal Richards Orchestra - Diane Lines on piano, and Jamie Croil on lead trumpet ... let's listen in on that performance.
The concert closed with Dal singing “As Time Goes By” from the movie Casablanca ... a truly special and spell binding performance.
A standing ovation goes to Bill Harvey, Magee '59 who conceived the plan and pursued it with passion, and to Marea Jensen, Magee Principal and her team who brought perfect order to the many details. Special thanks to Guinness World Records and their Chair, Jimmy Pattison for their enthusiastic support, to Diane Lines and Jamie Croil from the Dal Richards Orchestra, to Magee student Taylor Scott who acted as Master of Ceremonies, and to the Magee students who played “far beyond their years”. Dal’s music legacy at Magee is truly in good hands.
Media interviews with Dal, both before and after the concert, were very much appreciated. Follow these links and learn firsthand more details about Dal and his record setting evening.
Shaw, Studio 4, Fanny Kiefer, May 30 2012, Part II (13:56)
CBC Radio, The Early Edition, Rick Cluff, May 31 2012, Play Program (2:35:56), Dal Richards (starts at 2:20:19, click on time line to fast forward)Interview with Rick Cluff
CBC Radio, As It Happens, Carol Off, June 1 2012, Part I (25:26), Dal Richards (starts at 18:26, click on time line to fast forward)Interview with Carol Off
A CBC camera crew recorded the concert. Their audience, at some future date, will no doubt enjoy the show and World Record performance as much as we did on May 31st.