Dal Richards Orchestra-'The Swinging Years', Big band music with Canada's best

Capcan Music

Dr. Dal Richards
The Great, West Coast Canadian, Big Band Leader,
Dal Richards, 'The King of Swing'.

Dal Richards - The Swinging Years
Dal Richards New 2005 CD
'The Swinging Years'

The Swinging Years - A brand new (2005) Dal Richards, Big Band Music CD of 17 songs & medleys for the fans of Dal Richards who love the big band sounds of swingin' and singin'. Featuring the Dal Richards Orchestra and the vocal styling's of Dal Richards, Jamie Croil, Diane Lines and Lorraine McAllister. CMD463 CD only 'The Swinging Years'
CLICK HERE TO ORDER 'The Swinging Years'.
For more information on Dal Richards and his biography, please scroll below or use the convenient page bookmarks to navigate.

Dal Richards Recent CD
'A Tribute to the Crooners'

A Tribute to the Crooners - A recent (2003) Dal Richards, Big Band Music CD of 12 songs & medleys for the fans of Dal Richards who love the big band sounds of 'the crooners'. Featuring the Dal Richards Orchestra and the vocal styling's of Dal Richards. CMD464 CD only 'A Tribute to the Crooners'
CLICK HERE TO ORDER 'A Tribute to the Crooners'.
For more information on Dal Richards and his biography, please scroll below or use the convenient page bookmarks to navigate.

The Dal Richards Orchestra: On this page you will find lots of information regarding Dal Richards, "Canada's King of Swing". Performing and playing weekly, Dal Richards and The Dal Richards' Big Band or smaller combos, are available for bookings at Anniversaries, Big Band Dances, Christmas Parties, Conventions, Cruises, Special Events, Fund Raisers, Gala Evenings, Private Parties and Trade & Consumer Shows. Please scroll to the bottom of the page for Dal's contact information.
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Accolades for Dal Richards and His Orchestra

"...the town favourite, Dal Richards, the Dance Band King."
The Vancouver Sun
"Dal Richards was a runaway winner with the next band a distant second". The Province 'Best in Entertainment Poll - Dance Band Category
"This album (Swing Is In) is good news for those who enjoy dancing to a smooth jazz-oriented big band".
Jazz Review - The Ottawa Citizen
"I'm not old enough to claim this music is rightful, sweaty palms, falling in love at the prom heritage, but damn it's good".
Jurgen Gothe - CBC Radio - Disc Drive
"No Vancouver gala would be complete without Dal Richards & His Orchestra".
Joy Metcalfe - Joy's Journal - CKNW Radio
"As conductor of his big band arrangements in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Cafe Royale series, Dal proved to be the real crowd pleaser".
Barbara McLean, Artistic Administrator, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

'The King of Swing' - Dr. Dallas (Dal) Murray Richards - Biography Notes

In 1937, Vancouver high school student Dal Richards landed a part-time summer job in White Rock, BC playing the saxophone as a member of the orchestra at the Blue Moon Room. Now, years later, in Canada, the great sound of the Big Band Era is synonymous with one man, musician and band leader, DAL RICHARDS. For over 50 years Dal Richards and his Orchestra have delighted Canadians with the memorable dance music of the 40's.

His considerable reputation as a band leader prompted former Vancouver Sun - Leisure Editor, Alex MacGillvray to refer to him as "Town favourite, Dal Richards, The Dance Band King". The Dal Richards Orchestra played at the Panorama Roof of the Hotel Vancouver for 25 years, the longest running dance band engagement in Canadian history. During that time, 'The Band at the Top of the Town', as it became known, was featured on over 2000 coast to coast broadcasts on CBC Radio, earning the band a National reputation. With the return of the 'big band sound' in the late 80's, Dal had two hit records on the charts, 'Swing Is In - Vol.1, and Volume 2. Recently (2005) he released another CD featuring the Dal Richards Orchestra entitled 'The Swinging Years', available through this web site. Dal has released 4 CD's in the past 5 years.

A member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, housed at the historic Orpheum Theatre, Dal and his orchestra have compiled an astonishing number of 'firsts' in Vancouver's entertainment industry and have played many memorable engagements. The Dal Richards Orchestra was given the honour of opening Empire Stadium in 1954, the year this nostalgic facility played host to the British Empire Games. The band also played at the B. C. Lions Football game when the team first entered the Canadian Football League and has since become a league favourite at the annual Grey Cup Dinners.

Over the years, Dal Richards and his Orchestra have played at every conceivable function and he is still performing weekly today. From Big Band nostalgia dances, to cruise ships, conventions, conferences and fund raisers, Dal Richards and his Orchestra are in hotter demand today than ever. A list of his current engagements is provided in the 'Itinerary' section of this site.

One of Dal's major passions is helping the 'special needs children' assisted by the Variety - The Children's Charity of BC, where he and his band perform at Christmas parties and fund raising dinners. Variety has recognized Dal's generosity with it's highest honour, The Heart Award, and International Presidential Citation, and the position of BC's Variety - The Children's Charity Ambassador. He is also recipient of the Canadian Commemorative Medal of the 125th Anniversary of Confederation for 'significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada'.

To top it all, on May 3rd, 1995, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Dal Richards was inducted into The Order of Canada by His Excellency The Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada. Today, Dal Richards divides his time between his weekly music 'gigs', his weekly radio program on 600 AM, featuring music from the 30's, 40's and 50's, and Variety - The Children's Charity. In February 1999, A Honourary Doctor of Technology degree was conferred upon Dal Richards by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Never one to sit still, Dr. Richards' energy and enthusiasm remains undiminished for his 'big band sound' that has brought pleasure to so many fans over the years. Among the other independent artists on the roster at Capcan Music, Dal has also had the pleasure of working with singers Lorraine Foster, Lynne McNeil and Peter Chipman.

Itinerary - Dal Richards' Coming Events and Availability
2005 - Continuous around the lower mainland and PNE (The Pacific National Exhibition)

The Recorded Music of Dal Richards and His Orchestra

Over the years Dal Richards has recorded much of his music, especially through his CBC Radio programs. Two of his most popular recordings were: 'Swing Is In - Volume I' and 'Swing Is In - Volume II'. Currently available, the fabulous sounds of Dal Richards and his Orchestra can be heard on CD format on: 'Dal Richards - 'The Swinging Years', 'A Tribute to the Crooners' and 'Beautiful Canada' available On-Line and through Mail Order with Capcan Music Distribution. For more information and to Order these CD's see below.
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