Emil Richards studied with Al Lepak at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, graduating in 1952.
11 Facts About Emil Richards
1.
2.
Emil Richards cited Lionel Hampton as his first and biggest influence on vibraphone.
3.
In 1954, Richards moved to New York City, where he played with Charles Mingus, Ed Shaughnessy, and Ed Thigpen while doing studio recordings for Perry Como, the Ray Charles Singers, and Mitchell Ayres.
4.
Emil Richards led his own band, the Microtonal Blues Band, and spent time with composer and inventor Harry Partch.
5.
Emil Richards worked often as a studio musician for movies and television.
6.
Emil Richards's credits include playing bongos on the theme song for the television program Mission: Impossible.
7.
Emil Richards led a band with Joe Porcaro, and he released a solo album, The Wonderful World of Percussion.
8.
In 1962, Emil Richards went on a worldwide tour with Frank Sinatra to raise money for poor children.
9.
Emil Richards wanted his instruments to continue to be heard in recordings and other performances and to remain together as much as possible.
10.
The Emil Richards Collection includes common percussion, such as xylophone and marimba and exotic, such as the angklung, bulbul tarang, chimta, flapamba, jal tarang, janggu, lujon, mbira, and pakhavaj.
11.
Emil Richards was a member of the Society's Hall of Fame.