Christopher Gross has an
extensive and diverse musical background, ranging from jazz fusion to classical, rock,
folk, and chorale styles. Chris began playing guitar at age fourteen and soon after began
studying guitar under jazz fusion great Don Mock. After high school, Chris toured the western United States with Country singer Windy Rivers. He then came back to Seattle and studied classical guitar, guitar composition and arranging with local guitar virtuoso, Bob Gronenthal. During this time, Chris also played in a light rock vocal trio. He was selected as a student performer for both Christopher Parkening's and David Russell's master classes.
In the Early 1980's, Chris sang with a local Italian folk singing group Le Voci
Allegre, out of which he formed a close harmony men's Italian quartet Il
Quartetto Nuovo. This group was always a hit at the Dante society and Sons of Italy
functions, as well as at Columbus Day and Folklife festivals ("the Italians liked us
a lot"). Even the prominent Italian family the Obertos, of Oberto pepperoni and
sausage fame, expressed much ethusiasum over the quartet's
performance at their private annual family reunion celebration.
In the mid 1980's Chris performed in Redline, a local rock band playing engagements around the Puget Sound region. From 1984-1990 Chris sang tenor in the St. Alphonsus Parish Choir. He then joined the St. James Cathedral Choir, one of the nation's best church choirs, under the direction of Dr. James Savage for one year.
Chris moved on to become the tenor section leader in the Pacific Northwest Chamber Chorus, directed by Dr. Joan Conlon and later taken over by Dr. Steven Demorest. This chorus is one of the region's best known, and performs an extensive ongoing schedule of classical and popular concerts.
Chris continued to develop his interest in composition and arranging, which led to the formation of his jazz fusion group The Christopher Gross Ensemble, in which he has surrounded himself with a group of formidable musicians. The ensemble has performed Chris' and other band members' compositions for enthusiastic audiences at clubs, festivals and concert halls in the Seattle and surrounding area.
The ensemble released its first CD Hit the Mark, in the summer of 1999 and is in the process of a launching new project for 2001.
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