About
BYOBrass is a collective of musicians and educators from throughout the state of Iowa. Founded in 2017 by a group of friends and students at the University of Northern Iowa, the band quickly gained a loyal following in the Cedar Falls area. Since relocating to the Des Moines metro in 2021, BYOBrass has taken their show and expanded their audience to the entire state of Iowa and the Midwest.
BYOBrass draws inspiration from all across the musical spectrum, including House, Indie Rock, Hip Hop, New Orleans Frontline, Jazz, and many more. Their high-energy live shows and eclectic mix of influences and styles are sure to please audiences of all ages!
The Band
Dan Benson
Tuba / guitar / manager
Our founder and acting manager since 2017, Dan has been with the band since the very beginning. Dan graduated from UNI in 2018 and currently resides in Norwalk with his wife, Leah, and their two cats. In addition to playing sousaphone, guitar, & bass in the band, Dan enjoys writing a lot of our music, playing video games, watching movies on the couch with his wife, and the occasional tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
Kyler Boss
drums
Kyler is a performer and educator in the Des Moines metro. Since graduating from UNI in 2019, he has started a private lessons studio and continues to build a strong network of collaborators. Having joined the band as the primary drummer in 2022, Kyler helps to write and produce the music for BYOBrass. In his free time, he spends time with his dog, composes music, works out, and watches movies that make him cry. You can find Kyler's music on all streaming platforms.
Matt Dutton
Low brass / Publicity and Media manager
Matt joined the group in 2022 and quickly showed off his versatility, playing trombone, sousaphone, and sometimes even euphonium, as well as providing arrangements for the band. Originally from Davenport, IA, he graduated from UNI in 2017 and now lives in Des Moines. Aside from BYOBrass, Matt teaches at the Central Iowa Music Lab, directs an award-winning Show Choir Band in Davenport, and spends the rest of his free time with his dog, Taz.
Gerardo Gomez
Saxophones
Gerardo loves performing with BYOBrass! He joined the band at it's inception in 2017 while studying at UNI and, since then, has enjoyed seeing the journey BYO has taken. His favorite shows with the band so far have been performing at the Iowa State Fair, 7th Street Entry, and the Levitt at the Falls stage in Sioux Falls. Gerardo performs on both Alto and Tenor Saxophones with the band but enjoys cueing the band with his dancing. Formerly the Director of Bands at Anamosa High School, Gerardo is now pursuing a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Collin Krukow
trombone
Collin Krukow is one of our trombonists, hailing from Marshalltown, Iowa. Collin attended the University of Northern Iowa along with the rest of the band. Since leaving school, Collin has been carving a path for himself as a freelance musician, and joining BYOBrass was a natural step in that journey, having played with the band on and off since its inception. He currently lives in his hometown of Marshalltown with plans to relocate to Des Moines soon to explore the musical opportunities the city has to offer.
Colton Kurtz
Baritone Saxophone / guitar / equipment manager
Colton is the band's original bari sax player from way back in 2017. Now, he also plays guitar and is in charge of making sure all our stuff is where it has to be. Originally from Washington, IA, Colton attended the University of Northern Iowa from 2016-19 for saxophone performance, and somehow became an automotive technician at Bill Colwell Ford in Hudson, IA. He now resides in Waterloo, IA with his wife, Abbey, and two dogs, Jack and Pepper. When not having a BYOBlast with the band, he enjoys going on coffee dates with his wife, wrenching on his own project cars, and having a beer or glass of bourbon with his friends.
