Deriving its name from the beautiful park in Dublin, St. Stephen’s Green brings awareness to Irish music with a repertoire spanning modern Irish rock while still paying tribute to traditional Irish folk and songs of rebellion. As someone enthralled with Irish culture, Matt started the band to bring a fresh perspective to Irish music in the Chicago-land area. By blending a female’s voice over the harmony of banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass, and drums, St. Stephen’s Green does just that.
St. Stephen’s Green borrows and modifies songs old and new; some influences include The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, U2, the Wild Colonial Bhoys, and The High Kings. The band is always looking for Irish songs to add to the set list.
The band is being booked frequently in the Chicago area, and seeks venues in downstate Illinois and throughout the Midwest. Wherever an audience is interested in Irish music, St. Stephen’s Green is ready to play.
Liz Obrzut
Liz was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. In 2008, she traveled to Galway and Dublin to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, where she fell in love with Irish culture. By chance, she met Matt in 2014, and together they laid the foundation of the St. Stephen’s Green you know today. Liz provides the unique vocal sound and talent that sets SSG apart from the rest. Offstage, she is an administrator at a South Side High School, and is a self-proclaimed book nerd.
Band Role: Vocals, Tin Whistle
Favorite Irish Band/Artist: U2
Favorite Irish Song: Rose Tattoo
Matt Obrzut
Matt is also from the South Side of Chicago, but takes pride in his heritage from Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. He has been playing the guitar since 18, and has been most influenced by The Beatles, Oasis, The Pogues, and The Saw Doctors. His dream of starting an Irish band was realized in 2014, when he collaborated likeminded musicians, laying the foundation for the band you see on stage today. When he is not playing the bass with St. Stephen’s Green, he is probably spending time with his children or grilling in the backyard.
Band Role: Bass Guitar
Favorite Irish Band/Artist: The Pogues
Favorite Irish Song: Nancy Spain
Ron Delfmann
Ron is originally from Germany, born and raised. At 11 he got his first guitar and a year later started playing his first electric guitar. Ever since then he has learned how to play more and more instruments along the way. In the 80’s he did a lot of home recording, and throughout the 90’s he played in a Skiffle/Folk band, acquiring Mandolin and Tin Whistle skills and more. After moving to the U.S. in 2000, he played in a few classic rock projects and built his own little project studio. As luck would have it, he was contacted by Liz when St. Stephen’s Green was looking to expand their string lineup. Being that Celtic music was always in Ron’s heart, he was elated to meet with them and become a part of this awesome band.
Band Role: Electric Guitar, Mandolin
Favorite Irish Band/Artist: The Pogues
Favorite Irish Song: Mary Mac
Chris Leonard
Band Role: Lead Guitar
Favorite Irish Band/Artist: The High Kings
Favorite Irish Song: Galway Girl
Chris Leonard grew up on the South Side of Chicago, so he is familar with the Irish pride SSG represents. When he is not playing guitar and bass with SSG, you can find Chris working at his business, Gremlen Studios in Aurora, IL. Chris also serves as the band’s audio engineer. He comes highly acclaimed with a degree in Audio Engineering/Sound Design, as well as one in Music Theory/Composition.
Jeremy Kollross
Band Role: Percussion, Sound Engineer
Favorite Irish Band/Artist:
Favorite Irish Song:
Jeremy Kollross is the newest addition to St. Stephen’s Green, bringing the unique rhythmic vibe heard and felt at venues across the Chicagoland area. Jeremey is an exceptionally skilled and well-versed drummer, with a background in metal and jazz. Jeremy is also the co-owner of Gremlen Studios with Chris, and spends many days running production at The Forge in Joliet. Jeremy has a Bachelor’s in Audio Engineering and has run live sound professionally since 2017, working with hundreds of artists.