Mark Gross
Mark Gross is a dedicated and accomplished jazz saxophonist with a solid academic background in music. Mark Gross swings and sings along today’s jazz vanguard. Constantly pushing the music forward while staying true to the classic elements of jazz, Mark credits his prolific sound to the rich appreciation for Gospel music that resounded through his parent's home in Baltimore, MD.
Gross has toured the world for over 30 years exploring these sounds with the Mark Gross Quartet/Quintet, Buster Williams, Delfeayo Marsalis, Dave Holland, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Tom Harrell Big Band, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Frank Foster and the Loud Minority, Charles Mingus Big Band, Mark Whitfield, Joe Dukes, Captain Jack McDuff, Benito Gonzalez, Neal Smith, Cyrus Chestnut, Regina Carter, Lionel Hampton, Stefon Harris, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Don Braden, Vincent Gardner and many others.
Mark Gross has recorded over one hundred jazz recordings with other artist, including two that won Grammy Awards with the Dave Holland Big Band.
Gross has also recorded as a leader:
- Preach Daddy, King Records, 1997
- Riddle of the Sphinx, J Curve Records, 2001
- Blackside, Jazz Legacy Productions Records 2012
- + Strings, MGQ Records, 2018
- The Gospel According to Mark, MGQ Records, Fall 2023 release date
Mark Gross has appeared in featured films, television, and on Broadway several times. These include Malcolm X, Annie, Bolden, HBO series Boardwalk Empire, and Broadway musicals including Five Guys Named Moe, Kat & the Kings, After Midnight, Shuffle Along and currently Ain’t Too Proud, the Life and Times of The Temptations. Mark Gross tours extensively with his band Mark Gross Quintet (MGQ). He is currently promoting his latest recording on tour, + Strings.
Mark Gross’ skills were fine-tuned at an early age while he attended the Baltimore School for The Arts, studying with Dr. Chris Ford. After high school Mark attended Berklee College of Music. Two of its finest professors, Joe Viola and Bill Pierce helped further develop Mark's musicianship. Upon graduation in 1988, Mark Gross began his professional and musical caravan in jazz. He has extensive experience as an educator and has held positions at Princeton University, Prins Claus Conservatoire, William Paterson University and Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Currently he is Director of Jazz Instruction at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, professor at Prins Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, Holland and part-time lecturer at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. Gross holds a B.M. in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music.
