Top Boston brass ensemble performs Sunday
BY MARLI GUZZETTA
If you were to hear no other brass quartet piece in your lifetime, the Ewald Symphony might be the one to choose, and the New England Brass - whose members fill principal seats in top area orchestras and ensembles, including the Boston Pops and the Boston Ballet - is a capable guide.

The New England Brass Band, performing on Sunday, contains in-demand, principal seat "big brasses" from top New England orchestras and ensembles.

Performing since 1980, the New England Brass is an ensemble "committed to the standards of brass quartet literature." To that effect, the quartet (plus two accompanying musicians) will be performing the touchstone of brass quartet literature, The Ewald Symphony, or "Symphony No. 1" by Victor Ewald, here on Sunday. The band will also play new works, courtesy of the Nantucket Arts Council.

Often first trumpeter for big-production musicals and concerts in the Boston area, Jay Daly leads the ensemble, which is rounded out by Thomas Palance (trumpet), Alyssa Coffey (French horn), Walter Bostian (trombone) and Chip Halt (tuba).

When asked to elaborate on the unique and lasting appeal of a brass ensemble, Daly asked rhetorically, "Who doesn't like the sound of the brass ensemble?"

"It's versatile - probably the most versatile chamber sound there is. It can go from majestic and regal to light and classical, to the New Orleans-style brass band."

Just for fun, because people don't check in with orchestra musicians enough, we asked Daly to elaborate on some of his own favorites.

In your opinion, what are the three most notable brass pieces of all time?

The Empire Brass' performance of The Ewald Symphony, The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble's "Music from the Royal Court" and Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue"

If you were to adapt any contemporary music for brass ensemble, what would it be?

The horn bands of the 70s. We've already done bands like Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago. They adapted well, because they were horn bands.

If you could perform with any artists, living or dead, who would they be?

Al Hirt Herb Alpert Chuck Mangione Harry James

Louis Armstrong

If you could go back into time and see anyone perform live, who would that be?

Louis Armstrong. … They said he was just so ahead of his time then. He was such a pioneer on the trumpet, doing things no one had

ever heard of before. I
When: Sunday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m.
  (Show two hours with
  an intermission)
Where: Coffin School,
  4 Winter Street
Cost: $15 (NAC members);
  $20 (non-members); Free (kids)
NEW ENGLAND BRASS