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Smoke Gets In Your Eyes The North Port Concert Orchestra. Vocal by Jim Richardson
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James Richardson began his musical career at 14 playing in British army bands. Like his father, Charles Escudier Richardson, he spent most of his adult life as a bandmaster. But not before graduating from The British Royal School of Music and playing in various other military bands such as Oxford and Buckingham Light Infantry Band as well as His Majesty's Welsh guard performing the famous Changing Of The Guard as well as Queen Elizabeth II Coronation. | In 1953 he was invited to join the Mantovani Orchestra in a World tour.Instead he chose to emigrate with his family to Canada after a guest appearance at the Toronto C.N.E. He then joined the R.C.A.F. & was involved both as a trumpet player and a bandleader until retiring from the forces to become Music Director at Ottawa Hillcrest High School where they now have a special James Richardson Memorial Music Award for the most outstanding music student. | In 1982 he retired
from teaching and became The North Port Concert Orchestra's first conductor.
Over the years, particularly while with the latter, he has received
countless letters and newspaper articles of appreciation and praise.
There is also a Special James Richardson Memorial Music Award at a North Port Secondary
School for the most outstanding music student. He is dearly missed not only by his family & friends but also by his peers and his many fans. |
