1943

Jimmy Pattison joins the band. Al Colette was the best trumpet player he ever heard during his time in the Kits band. Al and Jimmy use to play in the Vancouver Junior Symphony. It was Al who got Jimmy into the Kitsilano Boys’ Band. Al played first trumpet in the symphony and Jimmy played second. Al had the most beautiful tone on his trumpet. He could have played professionally and gone right to the top of the charts in the music business but he preferred to be on his farm. That is what he enjoyed doing. His parents had a farm out in the Fraser Valley where he was raised. Then there was Bruce Ailsbury. They were the two main players Jimmy knew during his time in the band.

Arthur always liked to bring his youngest boys out on stage to demonstrate their prowess at an early age. Jimmy filled the very special spot Mr. D had for a very young virgin-sounding trumpeter and if he could stand on a chair, all the better. He caught them before they ruined their embouchures on jazz. He had a wonderful pure tone

Bill Harvey and the inkwell!

There was a fellow by the name of Bill Harvey who was playing on Jimmy’s stand. Arthur had his own ways of disciplining his boys. There were a lot of trumpets. There was the first row (first stand, second stand and third stand). Jimmy was playing third stand. Then there were another three stands behind them in the second row. Jimmy was in the front row with Bill Harvey and Dr. Gripson’s son. Delamont was playing. There was a big pause. Bill Harvey played a note and Delamont went wild. He made everybody start over again. Bill was always willing to try hard but he did exactly the same thing the second time and Delamont was really burned up. They had to start over again, a third time. The third time, Bill Harvey did the same thing. Delamont went over and got an inkwell and he poured the ink down the guys back he was so mad.

Mid-1940s Arthur travels with his other bands as well. During a concert for the Red Cross in Kelowna he held a question period where he asked members of the audience if they had any questions for him or the boys. One woman piped up: “Has the personnel of the band changed since you first started?” to which he replied, “None of the boys who visited England in 1936 are here today, and only eight are here today who travelled to England with me in 1939.” Another asked, “Where did you get your good looks and suntan?” to which he answered, “From my mother…” And then he promptly went over and kissed the lady, returning with a broad smile on his face.

North Vancouver Schools’ Band A trip to Victoria by the North Vancouver Schools’ Band is remembered by a local resident. “Hyde Park, London, with the Guards band playing on a summer’s afternoon – Arras, France during the Vimy Pilgrimage of ‘36 with the mighty band concerts in the square there. These are the memories that flooded back to us as we sat in Victoria Park last Sunday afternoon enjoying the music of the North Vancouver Schools’ band under the baton of Arthur Delamont.”

Bob Reid could read a book with one eye and his music with the other, he was so good! Over the years many fine trumpet players came through the band. In later years, Arthur said when asked, “Who was your best trumpet player?” he would say Bob Reid. Around 1944 or ‘45, the Dal Richards’ Orchestra played a show at the Service Center called “Furlough Dance Party.” The Service Centre was located on Burrard Street, between Georgia and Dunsmuir. It was a ballroom on the east side of the street. Bob Reid played trumpet and did arrangements for Dal at four dollars an arrangement. Bob wanted to play a gig with Harry Price on a Wednesday night. Dal said, “I can’t let you off but I will raise your arranging rate to five dollars, if that helps.” He could read a book with one eye and read his music with the other he was so good. Dal also confirmed, “He was probably one of, if not the best trumpet player that Arthur ever had, according to Arthur.”At the Roof, Dal had a different sounding band than he does now. It was called a “Sweet Band.” He had three violins, three saxophones, a trumpet and trombone. Quite often the trumpet and trombone had rests. Bob had a lot of free time to read a book.

Kenny Douglas and the Old ‘Bonabelle’
Playing in Arthur’s band required a great deal of dedication. The boys who played with Delamont lived and breathed music. One day, in the 40s, Arthur was sick in bed. He called Kenny Douglas to see if he could deliver some music to the West Vancouver band. Kenny went all the way over to Alma Road from Burnaby, picked up the music then went all the way down to the West Vancouver Ferry, the old ‘Bonabelle’ (The name was a result of a school competition). The music was heavy. He could hardly carry it all. A few days later, he had to do the same thing again for the North Vancouver band. At one time, Kenny rehearsed Monday and Thursday nights with the Kits band. In the daytime he played in his high school orchestra. On Friday nights he played in the Grandview band and on the weekends he played concerts. It was his life!

Quotes from Ambassadors of Empire Season 2 Episode 3:

Gordon Laird: “We loved hearing him ourselves.”

Woman: “Has the personnel of the band changed since you first started?”

Arthur: “None of the boys who visited England in 1936 are here today, and only eight are here today who traveled to England with me in 1939.”

Woman: “Where did you get your good looks and suntan?”

Arthur; “From my mother.”

Man: “Who was your best trumpet player?”

Arthur: “I can’t let you off but I will raise your arranging rate to five dollars, if that helps.”