Born in London in 1924, Hawksworth initially trained as a pianist, but also played double bass for Britain's leading big band the Ted Heath Orchestra during the early 1950s and through the 1960s.
During this time he became one of the most popular jazz bassists in the UK, winning many polls and was often featured as a soloist on Heath concerts and recordings.
[2] His album as bandleader I've Grown Accustomed to My Bass was issued in November 1964[3] and featured many well-known British jazz musicians, including Stan Tracey, Bill Le Sage, Tommy Whittle, Ronnie Stephenson and Terry Cox.
[6] These include Salute to Thames (the famous identity tune for Thames Television, commissioned in 1968),[7] and also the theme tunes for the 1960s pop music show Thank Your Lucky Stars and the 1970s series Roobarb, Man About the House and George and Mildred.
[8] In addition to his television themes, he also worked on films, including the scores to The Naked World of Harrison Marks (1967), The Penthouse (1967), and Zeta One (1970).