Dave Detwiler began his musical career on the trumpet at a very early age. The son of a professional trumpet player, and church organist, Dave joined the elementary band in the first grade. From there he performed with many different groups until he accepted a full scholarship to Valley Forge Military Academy where he played Solo cornet during his High School years. After graduation Dave attended The University of Pittsburgh, where he played lead trumpet in the Pitt Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Concert Band. Dave was also the student director of the jazz ensemble during his junior and senior years. Dave earned his Bachelors degree from Pitt and then went on the road with Nathan Davis and Clark Terry traveling throughout Europe and the U.S., as a lead trumpet player.

The second portion of Dave's career began in 1973, when he joined The U.S. Army Band. For 27 years Dave played Lead Trumpet and was a featured jazz soloist with The U.S. Army Blues, the premier jazz ensemble of The U.S. Army in Washington, D.C. During this same time with The Army Band, Dave also performed as the premier soloist with The U.S. Army Concert Band, performing in major concerts throughout the world, the U.S., and Washington, D.C. In addition to his Army Blues and Concert Band work, Dave was a bugler at The Tomb of The Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery, and performed regularly at the White House for special functions. Dave's career spanned the administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton during which time he performed at all of their Inaugurations. Dave’s fine lead and jazz work can be heard on numerous Army Blues albums and includes the original solo on Scream Machine, which gained national recognition also as Brass Machine played by high school and college bands worldwide. While still in the army, Dave performed with The Airmen of Note on their 1998 Christmas album, The U.S. Air Force Orchestra on their Duke Ellington Tribute and live with The Note at many live performances to include The annual ITG conference in 1998 and The Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Festival.

Since his retirement from the Army in 2000, Dave has continued locally as a freelance "first-call" trumpeter. As a local music union #161-710 member, he performs regularly with The National Symphony Orchestra as their lead trumpet on "Pops" concerts at The Kennedy Center and nationally-televised special concerts. He has also performed with The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, The Wolftrap Orchestra and with just about every famous performing artist to come to Washington, to include Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole and Johnny Mathis. Dave is also a well regarded studio recording musician and also frequently plays shows at The National Theatre, which has included Fosse, 42nd Street, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun and Saturday Night Fever, to name a few. Dave still travels nationally as a guest soloist, and has performed with The New York Philharmonic where he was featured on Duke Ellington’s "Harlem" playing both the lead trumpet and jazz parts. He also has been a guest clinician/soloist locally and nationally with hundreds of high school and college bands.

Dave's teaching reflects the well rounded performer that he is. Be it jazz, big-band, theatre, symphonic, studio recording, or musical shows, he is one of the most highly respected “crossover” trumpet players in the world and enjoys passing on this knowledge to students of all ages. Dave retired in 2002 as adjunct professor of trumpet and Director of Georgetown University’s Georgetown Jazz, but maintains a large studio in Northern Virginia. Many of Dave’s former students have continued on in music as professional trumpet players and music educators. His unique blend of knowledge, experience, humor and friendliness, along with his ability to convey the necessary information make Dave Detwiler an exceptional teacher presenting a unique learning situation to his pupils.

As a recording artist, Dave Detwiler has been featured on over 50 recordings. He has also played lead trumpet on hundreds of recordings, jingles and promotional tapes. Click Here to see the full list.