Airman First Class (A1C) Daniel Henson is a saxophonist serving in the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. A native of Fairfax Virginia, A1C Henson graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Jazz Studies degrees from the University of North Texas. During his tenure at UNT, he was a member of the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and he worked as a teaching fellow, assisting with classes and teaching private lessons to undergraduate music majors.
Prior to joining the Air Force, A1C Henson was active freelance saxophonist, composer, and educator. He performed regularly with his own band around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, developed a private teaching studio and composed a collection of jazz etudes. He has performed at venues including Birdland and Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley in Washington DC, and Brucker Hall on Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. A1C Henson enlisted in the Air Force in 2024 and has had the opportunity to perform with multiple ensembles across the east coast and in the Midwest with both the Heritage of America Band and the Band of Mid-America.
A1C Henson works as a member of the readiness team, helping to develop mission-ready airmen. He has also been able to provide support for the 193 Special Operations Wing, performing at their 75th anniversary Dining Out, assisting to build morale in advance of a unit deployment.
EDUCATION
2021 Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies – University of North Texas
2022 Master of Music, Jazz Studies – University of North Texas
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Mar 2024-present, Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Training Ribbon
Air Force Honor Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 02 Jan 2024
(Current as of January 2025)