David Daws

David Daws was born in Middlesex in 1963, the son of Salvation Army officers.

He was taught to play the cornet at the age of three and a half by Maisie Wiggins (nee Ringham) and at the age of seven joined his first band, the Wealdstone YP Band of the Salvation Army, under the wonderful leadership of John Yates.

David's parents' work took him to other Salvation Army centres and pleasurable times were spent with SA bands at Bexleyheath, Greenford and Hillingdon Corps.

A lifetime's ambition to join The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army was achieved in 1981 and benefited from the musicality of the group and its conductor Ray Bowes. He became Principal Cornet in 1993 and served with the band until 2000.

David was also Principal cornet of Enfield Citadel SA Band until moving to Hendon SA Band. He conducts the Hendon Junior SA Band which includes membership of his 2 daughters, Stephanie and Isobel.

Solo tours have included countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Sweden and The Netherlands.

David has released a number of solo CDs, e.g. two Salvation Army cornet solo CDs - I Hear the Music and Golden Slippers and a recording with Williams Fairey Band in 2003.