Brass on Fire is a high-powered 7-piece contemporary horn band made in the mold of the popular band Chicago that performs throughout NE Illinois and SE Wisconsin.

The band's story started in 1973 when Chicago and other horn bands such as Blood Sweat & Tears, and Ides of March were dominating the music scene.  At that time BoF founder and guitarist, Tom Kranz, put together a horn band called Elysian Fields.  Although that band was short lived, Tom was hooked and dreamed of some day putting together another horn band. After nearly 5 decades of playing in successful Chicagoland rock bands Tom decided to make his dream a reality and in the spring of 2021 he put Brass on Fire together. 

To deliver the diverse and challenging music this genre demands Tom recruited an impressive lineup of versatile and accomplished musicians to fill out the BoF lineup.  Tom and company worked hard over the next year to put together a set of high-energy, crowd-pleasing, tunes comprised of blazing horn lines, driving rhythms, and tight vocals.  The band is super excited about these songs and is having an absolute blast performing them.

BoF features a musical repertoire that primarily covers the 1960s through the 80s with an occasional foray into more recent songs.  Their set list includes the songs of Chicago, The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers, Santana, Huey Lewis & the News, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin, Sam & Dave, Ides of March, Europe, and more (see "The Music" below for a sampling of songs). 

Brass on Fire was created for the express purpose of honoring and keeping alive the great power horn band sound of bands by giving people the chance to experience this timeless and powerful music in person.

Brass on Fire is:

• Brian Anderson - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piccolo Trumpet, Vocals

• Michael Bazan - Saxophones, Flute

• Lou Thoms - Trombone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Keyboard, Vocals

• Tom Kranz - Guitar, Vocals

• Lee Steinsdoerfer - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

• Gregg Szczesny - Bass, Vocals

• Tim Noonan - Drums

CLICK to see pics and biographies

Here is a sampling of songs that Brass on Fire performs.  We are constantly expanding our repertoire with songs from the 60s on through to today.

• 25 Or 6 To 4 - Chicago

• All Night Long - Lionel Richie

• Beginnings - Chicago

• Bend Me Shape Me - American Breed

• Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

• Brandy - Looking Glass

• China Grove - The Doobie Brothers

• Does Anybody Really Know What Time it is - Chicago

• Easy - The Commodores

• Feelin' Stronger Every Day - Chicago

• Gimme Some Lovin' - The Blues Brothers

• Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles

• Hard to Handle - The Black Crowes

• Hello - Lionel Richie

• Hip To Be Square - Huey Lewis & The News

• Hold On I'm Coming - Sam & Dave

• In the Mood - Glen Miller

• It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr

• Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd

• Lido Shuffle - Boz Skaggs

• Listen to the Music - The Doobie Brothers

• Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

• Long Train Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers

• Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles

• Make Me Smile - Chicago

• Movie Themes Medley - Various Artists

• Midnight Confessions - The Grass Roots

• My Girl - The Temptations

• My Old School - Steely Dan

• On the Dark Side - John Cafferty

• Penny Lane - The Beatles

• Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

• Saturday In The Park - Chicago

• Shake Your Booty - KC & the Sunshine Band

• Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

• Smooth - Santana

• Soul Man - The Blues Brothers

• Stand By Me -  Stan Cook

• Still - Lionel Richie

• Sweet Home Chicago - The Blues Brothers

• That's the Way I Like It - KC & the Sunshine Band

• Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

• Vehicle - Ides of March

• You May Be Right - Billy Joel