Harlequin Brass is a brass ensemble founded in early 1995 by a small group of top-class musicians, passionate about delivering high-quality brass music to audiences across the North of England.

It has developed a distinctive and versatile sound modelled on the iconic lineup popularised by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, featuring four trumpets, four trombones, French horn, and tuba.

With a repertoire exceeding 400 works, the ensemble performs a wide range of music, from Baroque and Classical to Big Band, Jazz, and Latin styles. Much of their music has been specially composed or arranged for them by leading names such as Jim Parker (Soldier, Soldier, Ground Force), Roger Harvey, Eric Crees, Christopher Mowatt, John Iveson, Richard Bissell, Gordon Langford and Elgar Howarth.

Committed to engaging new and diverse audiences, Harlequin Brass places a strong emphasis on entertainment and accessibility, making their performances enjoyable for all ages. Their concerts often blend musical excellence with variety, taking listeners on a journey through time, styles, and global musical traditions.

The ensemble is also highly regarded for its collaborative work with choirs of all sizes, from chamber groups to large male voice choirs, and has featured on BBC Radio, BBC Television’s Songs of Praise, and Classic FM. They were the first British brass ensemble to perform at Amsterdam’s prestigious Concertgebouw, and their second album Music for a Millennium (1999) was awarded ‘Record of the Year’ by Classic FM Magazine.