John Gross (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Gross is a saxophone, flute and clarinet player.
Gross is known as a musician's musician, a mainstay, and in 1994, Saxophone Journal called him one of the most meaningful players on the American Jazz
scene. Gross is a jazz original, an improviser, a versatile accompanist and creator of a notational method called Multiphonics for the Saxophone.
, playing the clarinet for the L.A. County Parks and Recreation Youth Orchestra. Gross studied clarinet with Phil Sobel and Vito Susca, saxophone with Ronnie Lang and John Graas
. As a child and youth Gross played in Burbank Youth Symphony, All-Southern California Junior High School Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, L.A. All-City High School Band, I.O.F. Robin Hood Youth Band, and Sepulveda Youth Band.
At fourteen Gross was playing at the Gas House in Venice Beach, the epicenter of L.A. Beat culture (which led to a police visit, and the threat of juvenile detention for John and his date). John earned his jazz improv chops in L.A.’s jazz scene playing at venues such as the Hillcrest Club on Washington Boulevard with jazz greats such as Ornette Coleman
, Don Cherry, Gary Peacock
, and Horace Tapscott
, who were participants of the scene at the time, and the shapers of L.A. Jazz.
At age sixteen Gross dropped out of the University of California, Northridge and hit the road with Harry James
. The band was playing on a bill with the famous crooner Billy Eckstine
(“My Foolish Heart”).
Gross continued to work in top level bands in the early 60s, touring with Lionel Hampton
, Johnny Mathis
, Stan Kenton
, and Woody Herman
.
In the mid 60's Gross was playing at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach
with regulars Warne Marsh
, Lou Ciotti, Frank Strazzeri
, Putter Smith
, Dave Parlato, Abe and Sam Most, Jimmy Zito, Hart Smith, Sal Nistico
, Frank De La Rossa and Dave Koonse.
's Hollywood club, “Shelly’s Manne-Hole,” playing opposite such jazz greats as Miles Davis
, John Coltrane
, Sonny Rollins
, Bill Evans
, Thelonious Monk
, Art Blakey
, Abby Lincoln, Muddy Waters
, Gary Barone
, Mike Wofford
, and Dave Parlato. He toured Europe with Manne in 1970 playing on “Alive in London” recorded during a fondly remembered residency at Ronnie Scott's club
in London.
Gross spent four years (1979–1983) touring worldwide with Toshiko Akiyoshi
’s big band, including a gig at Carnegie Hall
. The Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band
was known for its wild “tenor battles” between Gross and Toshiko’s husband Lew Tabackin
.
Among the countless other musicians Gross has played, toured and/or recorded with are Earl Grant
, Oliver Nelson
, Don Ellis
, Gerald Wilson
, Bill Holman
, Alan Jones Sextet, Piotr Wojtasik, and Gordon Lee.
He has also performed with Rosemary Clooney
, Nancy King
, Diana Krall
, Freddie Hubbard
, Larry Young, Donald Bailey
, Drew Gress
, Dave Holland
, Cubby O’Brien
, Russ Morgan
, Kay Kyser
, Lennon Sisters, Roger Williams
, Ernie Andrews
, Gladys Knight
, Stevie Wonder
, Brad Turner, Carol King
, Belinda Underwood, Glen Moore
, Gary Versace, Israel Annoh, Pat Coleman, Alain Jean-Marie, The Hitchens Consort, Larry Koonse,The Belmondo Brothers, and Francois Theberge.
Gross received a preliminary Grammy nomination
(best jazz album and best jazz soloist) for his 1990 trio album Three Play with bassist Putter Smith
and guitarist Larry Koonse. He moved to Portland, Oregon
in 1991.
Gross currently resides in Portland, teaching, performing and touring with various bands.
Gross is known as a musician's musician, a mainstay, and in 1994, Saxophone Journal called him one of the most meaningful players on the American Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
scene. Gross is a jazz original, an improviser, a versatile accompanist and creator of a notational method called Multiphonics for the Saxophone.
Early career
Raised in a musical family, he launched his professional career at age eight in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, playing the clarinet for the L.A. County Parks and Recreation Youth Orchestra. Gross studied clarinet with Phil Sobel and Vito Susca, saxophone with Ronnie Lang and John Graas
John Graas
John Graas was an American jazz French horn player, composer, and arranger. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Graas had a short but busy career on the West Coast, known primarily as one of the first and best French horn players in jazz.Graas had classical training, including attendance at the Tanglewood...
. As a child and youth Gross played in Burbank Youth Symphony, All-Southern California Junior High School Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, L.A. All-City High School Band, I.O.F. Robin Hood Youth Band, and Sepulveda Youth Band.
At fourteen Gross was playing at the Gas House in Venice Beach, the epicenter of L.A. Beat culture (which led to a police visit, and the threat of juvenile detention for John and his date). John earned his jazz improv chops in L.A.’s jazz scene playing at venues such as the Hillcrest Club on Washington Boulevard with jazz greats such as Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman is an American saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter and composer. He was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s....
, Don Cherry, Gary Peacock
Gary Peacock
Gary Peacock is an American jazz double-bassist.-Biography:After military service in Germany, in the early sixties he worked on the west coast with Barney Kessel, Bud Shank, Paul Bley and Art Pepper, then moved to New York. He worked there with Bley, the Bill Evans trio , and Albert Ayler's trio...
, and Horace Tapscott
Horace Tapscott
Horace Tapscott was an American jazz pianist and composer. He formed the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra in 1961 and led the ensemble through the 1990s...
, who were participants of the scene at the time, and the shapers of L.A. Jazz.
At age sixteen Gross dropped out of the University of California, Northridge and hit the road with Harry James
Harry James
Henry Haag “Harry” James was a trumpeter who led a jazz swing band during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.-Biography:He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a...
. The band was playing on a bill with the famous crooner Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular...
(“My Foolish Heart”).
Gross continued to work in top level bands in the early 60s, touring with Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
, Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
, Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
, and Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
.
In the mid 60's Gross was playing at the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach
Lighthouse Café
The Lighthouse Café is a nightclub located at 30 Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, California. It has been active as a jazz showcase since 1949 and, under the name "The Lighthouse", was one of the central West Coast jazz clubs from the 1950s through the late 1970s....
with regulars Warne Marsh
Warne Marsh
Warne Marion Marsh was an American tenor saxophonist born in Los Angeles.-Biography:Marsh came from an affluent background: his father was the cinematographer Oliver T. Marsh , and his mother Elizabeth was a violinist...
, Lou Ciotti, Frank Strazzeri
Frank Strazzeri
Frank Strazzeri is an American jazz pianist.Strazzeri began on tenor saxophone and clarinet at age 12, then switched to piano soon after. He attended the Eastman School of Music, then took a job as a house pianist in a nightclub in Rochester in 1952. While there he accompanied visiting musicians...
, Putter Smith
Putter Smith
Putter Smith is an American jazz bassist, teacher and retired actor.-Acting performances:He famously played the part of homosexual assassin Mr. Kidd alongside partner Mr...
, Dave Parlato, Abe and Sam Most, Jimmy Zito, Hart Smith, Sal Nistico
Sal Nistico
Sal Nistico, born Salvatore Nistico 2 April 1938 in Syracuse , died 3 March 1991 in Berne, Switzerland, was a jazz tenor saxophonist....
, Frank De La Rossa and Dave Koonse.
Later career
Gross spent five years (1967–1972) as house band member at Shelly ManneShelly Manne
Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
's Hollywood club, “Shelly’s Manne-Hole,” playing opposite such jazz greats as Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins
Theodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins is a Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist. Rollins is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. A number of his compositions, including "St...
, Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
, Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
, Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
, Abby Lincoln, Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
, Gary Barone
Gary Barone
Gary Barone was an American soccer player who earned one cap with the U.S. national team. He also spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League....
, Mike Wofford
Mike Wofford
Mike Wofford is a jazz pianist born February 28, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas, raised in San Diego, California.He is best known as an accompanist to and music director for singers Sarah Vaughan , Ella Fitzgerald and others...
, and Dave Parlato. He toured Europe with Manne in 1970 playing on “Alive in London” recorded during a fondly remembered residency at Ronnie Scott's club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club which has operated in London since 1959.The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was managed by musicians Ronnie Scott and Pete King. In 1965 it moved to a larger venue nearby at 47 Frith Street...
in London.
Gross spent four years (1979–1983) touring worldwide with Toshiko Akiyoshi
Toshiko Akiyoshi
is a Japanese American jazz pianist, composer/arranger and bandleader. Among a very few successful female instrumentalists of her generation in jazz, she is also recognized as a major figure in jazz composition. She has received 14 Grammy nominations, and she was the first woman to win the Best...
’s big band, including a gig at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. The Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band
Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band
The Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band was a 16 piece jazz big band created by pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and tenor saxophone / flutist Lew Tabackin in Los Angeles in 1973. In 1982 the principals moved from Los Angeles to New York city and re-formed the group with new members under the name,...
was known for its wild “tenor battles” between Gross and Toshiko’s husband Lew Tabackin
Lew Tabackin
Lew Tabackin is a jazz flautist and a tenor saxophonist. He is married to Toshiko Akiyoshi, who is a jazz pianist and a composer/arranger.-Biography:...
.
Among the countless other musicians Gross has played, toured and/or recorded with are Earl Grant
Earl Grant
Earl Grant was an American easy listening pianist, Hammond organist, and vocalist popular in the 1950s and 1960s.-Career:...
, Oliver Nelson
Oliver Nelson
Oliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger and composer.-Early life and career:...
, Don Ellis
Don Ellis
Don Ellis was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of unusual time signatures...
, Gerald Wilson
Gerald Wilson
Gerald Stanley Wilson is an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer/arranger, 8 time Grammy nominee, and educator. He has been based in Los Angeles since the early 1940s....
, Bill Holman
Bill Holman (musician)
Willis Leonard Holman , known also as Bill Holman, is an American composer/arranger, conductor, saxophonist, and songwriter working primarily in the jazz idiom....
, Alan Jones Sextet, Piotr Wojtasik, and Gordon Lee.
He has also performed with Rosemary Clooney
Rosemary Clooney
Rosemary Clooney was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House" written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian , which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 –...
, Nancy King
Nancy King (jazz singer)
Nancy King is a world-renowned jazz singer from Portland, Oregon, United States.- References :...
, Diana Krall
Diana Krall
Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide; altogether, she has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist during the 1990s and 2000s...
, Freddie Hubbard
Freddie Hubbard
Frederick Dewayne "Freddie" Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles from the early 1960s and on...
, Larry Young, Donald Bailey
Donald Bailey (musician)
Donald "Duck" Bailey is an American jazz drummer.He is probably best known as the drummer in the trio of jazz organist Jimmy Smith from 1956 to 1964 and also for his work with The Three Sounds on Blue Note Records. Bailey also worked as a sideman for some of the most famous musicians in jazz...
, Drew Gress
Drew Gress
Drew Gress is an American jazz double-bassist and composer born in Trenton, New Jersey, raised in the Philadelphia area, and currently based in New York City.-Biography:...
, Dave Holland
Dave Holland
Dave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
, Cubby O’Brien
Cubby O'Brien
Carl Patrick O'Brien , who generally goes by the nickname of "Cubby", is a professional American drummer, and a former child actor, who is best known for having been a Mouseketeer.-Early life:...
, Russ Morgan
Russ Morgan
Russ Morgan was a big band orchestra leader and musical arranger in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.-Early life:...
, Kay Kyser
Kay Kyser
James Kern Kyser was a popular bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s.-Early years:He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the son of pharmacists Paul Bynum Kyser and Emily Royster Kyser. Editor Vermont C. Royster was his cousin...
, Lennon Sisters, Roger Williams
Roger Williams (pianist)
Roger Williams was an American popular music pianist. As of 2004, he had released 116 albums.-Biography:...
, Ernie Andrews
Ernie Andrews
Ernie Andrews is an American jazz, blues, and pop singer. He grew up in Los Angeles, California, and one of his first jobs was with the Harry James orchestra. He went on to be recorded by Columbia Records and others...
, Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Brad Turner, Carol King
Carol King
Carol King may refer to* Carole King, American singer, songwriter and pianist* Carol Weiss King , progressive American human rights lawyer* Carol King, one of the murder victims of Charles Starkweather...
, Belinda Underwood, Glen Moore
Glen Moore
Glen Moore is a jazz bassist who occasionally performs on piano, flute and violin.His performing career began at age 14 with the Young Oregonians in Portland, Oregon where he met and played with Native American saxophonist, Jim Pepper. He graduated with a degree in History and Literature from the...
, Gary Versace, Israel Annoh, Pat Coleman, Alain Jean-Marie, The Hitchens Consort, Larry Koonse,The Belmondo Brothers, and Francois Theberge.
Gross received a preliminary Grammy nomination
Grammy Nominees
The Grammy Nominees is a series of various artists compilation albums celebrating the best of the music industry. Albums are released before the airing of the annual Grammy Awards. All of the songs on the albums are Grammy nominated in the year released. The first one of these albums was released...
(best jazz album and best jazz soloist) for his 1990 trio album Three Play with bassist Putter Smith
Putter Smith
Putter Smith is an American jazz bassist, teacher and retired actor.-Acting performances:He famously played the part of homosexual assassin Mr. Kidd alongside partner Mr...
and guitarist Larry Koonse. He moved to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in 1991.
Gross currently resides in Portland, teaching, performing and touring with various bands.
Awards
- Winner, Alto Sax Soloist, Lighthouse International Jazz Festival, 1958
- Winner, Alto Sax Soloist, Long Beach Jazz Festival, 1958.
As Leader
- John Gross Trio, “Threeplay”, (1989)[]
- John Gross/Billy Mintz, ” Beautiful You, (2004) []
- John Gross Trio with Dave Frishberg, “Strange Feeling”, (2006).[]
As sideman
- Shelly Manne and His Men, “Outside”, (1969, Outside) []
- Shelly Manne and His Men, “Live in London”, (1970, Outside) []
- Shelly Manne, “Mannekind”, (1972) []
- Oliver Nelson OrchestraOliver NelsonOliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger and composer.-Early life and career:...
, “Black, Brown and Beautiful”, (1969, Flying Dutchman). - Putter Smith Quintet, “Lost and Found”, 1970
- Putter Smith Quintet, “Nightsong”, 1995
- Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band, “Farewell to Mingus”, 1980;
- Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band, “From Toshiko with LoveFrom Toshiko With LoveFrom Toshiko With Love is the twelfth recording released by the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band . It was released in Japan by Victor Records and in the U.S. by Jazz America Marketing – not to be confused with the 2002 Lew Tabackin Trio recording of the same name ...
”, 1981; - Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band, “European MemoirsEuropean MemoirsEuropean Memoirs is the tenth studio recording of the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band. Akiyoshi was nominated for a 1983 Grammy award in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for the arrangement of "Remembering Bud" on this album.This would be the final recording of the Los...
”, 1983 - Kim Richmond Ensemble, “Looking In, Looking Out”, 1983 []
- Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra, “Passages”, 1992.[]
- William Thomas, “Notes from a Drummer”, 1991.[]
- Jeff Johnson, “My Heart”, 1991.
- Pat Coleman/Bob Murphy Quartet, “Come Rain or Come Shine”, 1996.
- Gordon Lee Quartet, “Rough Jazz”, 1997.
- Howard Roberts, “Magic Band”, (1968), 1998.
- Tom Wakeling/Brad Turner Quartet,”Live at the Cotton Club”, 1998.
- Alan Jones Sextet, “Unsafe”, 1999,[]
- Alan Jones Sextet, “Leroy Vinnegar Suite”, (2001).[]
- Shelly Manne, “Navy Swings”, (2002, Studio West) []
- Karen Hammack/Paul Kreibich Quartet, ”, 2004.[]
- Belinda Underwood, "Uncurling", 2005
- David Friesen, “Four to Go”, 1992;[]
- David Friesen, “Five and Three”, 2006
- David Friesen, “Circle of Three”, 2010.