Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 2, 1932 in Hartford, CT

Death

:

December 13, 2019

Genre

:

Film

 

Emil Richards was a renowned American percussionist and composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 2, 1932, in Hartford, Connecticut, Richards grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Richards showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano and drums. Richards' musical journey began when he joined the Hartford Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist at the age of 16. He later moved to New York City to study at the Juilliard School of Music, where he honed his skills as a percussionist. During his time at Juilliard, Richards was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and world music. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Richards began his professional career as a percussionist. He quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and skilled musician, and he was soon in demand as a session player. Richards played on numerous recordings for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Elvis Presley. In addition to his work as a session player, Richards also performed with several prominent orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra, where he worked under the direction of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini. One of the highlights of Richards' career was his work with composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Richards played percussion on several of Bernstein's recordings, including the iconic West Side Story soundtrack. He also performed with Bernstein on several occasions, including a concert at the White House for President John F. Kennedy. Richards was also a prolific composer, and he wrote music for a wide range of ensembles, including orchestras, jazz bands, and percussion ensembles. His compositions were often influenced by his love of world music, and he incorporated elements of African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American music into his work. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Richards was also a respected educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the California Institute of the Arts. He also wrote several instructional books on percussion, including "Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone" and "Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer." Throughout his career, Richards received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of music. In 1997, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, and in 2002, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Percussion Congress. Emil Richards passed away on December 14, 2019, at the age of 87. His legacy as a versatile and innovative percussionist, composer, and educator continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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