Jay Hunsberger, principal tuba with the Sarasota Orchestra for the past 27 years, didn't always know he wanted to be a musician. "I wanted to be an oceanographer first, then I thought I was going to be a professional swimmer, but then I wised up... I decided in about the eight- or ninth-grade that being a musician was what I wanted to do."

What made him decide to do that? Jay laughs and says with a smile, "Probably because I wasn't smart enough to do anything else."

I beg to differ. As principal clarinet Bharat Chandra so aptly put, Jay is one of the greatest leaders and musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra, as well as an extraordinary member of our community. Bharat said, "I don't know a single person who's not proud of and in admiration of Jay Hunsberger." I couldn't agree more. He's humble about his extensive and impressive career, and never fails to make everyone in the room smile.

In addition to his many proud moments as a renowned tuba player, Jay feels it's his mission to change the public perception of the largest and lowest member of the brass family. "I love the tuba because it's misunderstood. I think people assume it's one thing, and in my opinion, it's quite a beautiful, melodic and a very versatile instrument. Great composers over the course of history have recognized that and written some great music for the tuba."

This Thursday, you'll get to hear him play David Carlson's Concerto for Tuba, supported by many other members of the Sarasota Orchestra: Daniel Jordan, violin; Anne Bobilin, violin; Laura Jensen-Jennings, violin; Margot Zarzycka, violin; Matthew Pegis, viola; Michael McClelland, viola; Jake Muzzy, cello; Chizuko Matsusaka, cello; John Miller, bass; and Cheryl Losey, harp.

"I'm so blessed to have, really, the greatest colleagues in the world," says Jay.

Join us at Quintets & Tuba this Thursday, October 1 at Holley Hall. More info here.