Over its three decades of activity, Onyx Brass has evolved into one of the top brass ensembles not only in Britain but worldwide. The group has commissioned new music from a large number of contemporary British composers. Inspired by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, Onyx Brass came together in 1993 with the intention of making chamber music that was both serious and approachable. The group released its debut album, Pavans, Fantasias, Variations, in 2002. The 2018 release Fanfares consisted of 58 examples of that venerable form by 20th century British composers. The group remained active, joining the Winchester College Chapel Choir for the album A Winter's Night: Christmas Music for Choir, Brass Quintet & Organ in 2020, releasing Festmusik: A Legacy in 2021, and returning in 2023 with The Sun Is Free to Flow with the Sea.