Jay Daly's career as a musician and educator spans more than 40 years, taking him around the United States and the globe. Born and raised in Hampton, NH, Jay played trumpet at age eight, and studied with Robert Stibler, James West, Charles Schlueter, Robert Nagel, Leon Merian and Wes Hensel, In his teens he played professional jobs six nights a week with the union big band at Hampton Beach. The Ted Herbert Orchestra subsequently hired Jay as lead trumpet, leading to hundreds of performances. Jay's performance and touring credits are as wide-ranging as they are extensive. The short list includes more than 15 years touring with the Artie Shaw and Harry James Orchestras respectively as lead trumpet. Jay also played lead trumpet in the Herb Pomeroy Orchestra, Ken Hadley’s Big Band, Craig Ball's White Heat Swing Orchestra, Greg Hopkins Big Band, and the John Allmark Jazz Orchestra among many others. As a first-call Boston freelancer Jay performed with Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Johnny Mathis, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole and Linda Ronstadt. In the field of jazz Jay has performed with Randy Brecker, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods, Butch Miles, Lew Soloff, Phil Wilson, Bijon Watson, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson and many others. Despite his jazz pedigree Jay does not consider himself a jazz artist. Rather, he says he is a classically trained musician who specializes in musical theater, big band trumpet section work, recording session calls, and solo programs with ensembles playing classical repertory.  Not the least of Jay's many notable gigs was playing in the Barnum and Bailey Brothers' Circus band. Jay was a first-call trumpet for the circus whenever it came to Boston for years. Today you won't find Jay in the circus band but you will find him in a theater pit orchestra. Jay is the musician contractor at North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, Jay also travels widely on call to other New England and New York musical theaters. His appearance with the SPO will feature his first original concert show, From Stardust to Penny Lane: A Celebration of the Popular Trumpet, the show tells a musical story of the popular trumpet in America.