David morris whistler biography of mahatma

David Morris was twice persuaded by friends to try something different after they discovered he had a unique musical gift.

More than a decade later, his remarkable sound would go on to be heard by millions around the world.

David, who has lived his entire life in Saddleworth, had already been named Britain's best cornet player back in 1975.

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But it was a remarkable global competition held across the pond that went on to change his life forever.

In 2003, David entered the annual World Whistling Championships in Louisburg, North Carolina, for the first time.

It would be the only time - before he returned home to the pretty village of Dobcross with the title.

David, who studied at Hulme Grammar School for Boys in Oldham, says he developed his whistling skills while still playing the cornet and never had one lesson.

He told the Manchester Evening News : "When I used to learn a different piece, I tried to whistle it. That's when people discovered I had a flair for it.

"I was lobbied by some friends into making a CD with a brass band backing, and it did rather well.

"Then I entered the world championship in 2003, and that's when my life changed.

"This guy from the north goes over to America and beats them in their own back yard."

Having released his first CD - Whistling Down the Wind - the previous year, David took on the World Whistling Championships.

Again, it was his friends who nudged him towards entering the contest.

David said: "They had found the event online and said I ought to have a go at it, they thought I would do well."

The championships are well known in the USA, and in David's year the event was broadcast across the country by CBS.

He took part in the two-day championship, whistling in both the classical and popular categories.

David was one of seven finalists to make it past the first round, before going on to be crowned the winner.

Buoyed by the warm reception he received following his victory, including news coverage on TV in the north west, David decided to leave his job as a herbal remedy salesman and become a professional whistler.

The former musical director in the Dobcross Silver Band would go on to record five CD albums and make countless live performances as a whistler.

He said: "I've been back to America 15 times for concerts, two times in New Zealand. I've performed in Europe and all over the UK."

David also went on to appear on more national TV shows such as This Morning,Blue Peter and The One Show .

But it was his multiple appearances on BBC Radio 2, during the Chris Evans and Friday Night Is Music Night shows, that would lead to David's next big break.

In 2014, composer Anne Dudley contacted a music agency asking for a whistler to feature in a new advertising campaign for TSB bank.

David said: "The guy who was a partner at the agency used to be a pro violin player and was in the BBC concert orchestra, when I was a guest on Radio 2.

"He remembered me and said there was 'a guy up north somewhere'. He found me, showed Anne my website, and she said 'this is the guy we want'.

"And that was it - I went down to record it. That campaign lasted for 12 different adverts."

David, who has four grandchildren, added: "[My family] were very excited and very supportive. I think they were quite proud of it."

Following the long-running TSB campaign, David's whistling made further appearances on adverts for Mini, San Pellegrino and Klarna.

His unique sound was also heard in cinemas all over the world in 2018, as he featured in the Hollywood smash sequel Mamma Mia!Here We Go Again , which was also scored by Anne Dudley.

David's famous whistle provided the backdrop for Julie Walters' arrival on the island of Kalokairi - a long way from the Saddleworth brass band concerts that he would play cornet in.

But less than two years later, the world was rocked by the coronavirus pandemic, which brought David's live whistling shows to a shuddering halt.

"It's been awful," he said.

"There was nothing for 18 months. When you like to perform, but you can't, it's quite frustrating."

Fortunately, the bookings returned for David's shows, having performed on a number of occasions since Covid restrictions were eased in the summer and with shows lined up for 2022.

"This is my job now," added David.

"I took a gamble and never looked back."

To hear some of David's whistling and find out more, see his website here.

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