JOE GROSS

 

Trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, and arranger Joe Gross started playing cornet at age 10, switched over to the trumpet at age 12 and has been at it ever since.  He studied trumpet and brass techniques with such masters as Don Heidemann, Matt Comerford, William Carroll, Terry Sawchuk, Ron Modell, Arnold Jacobs, Adolph Herseth, Vince Cichowicz, and Bill Adam.  Joe learned jazz theory and improvisation from experts Dan Haerle, Rufus Reid, David Baker, Dave Leibman, and Tim Hagans.  Mr. Gross explored composition and arranging under Frank Mantooth while studying music at Northern Illinois University, and advanced it further under Adam Holzman.  He also studied at Northeastern Illinois University, where he met and played with great musicians such as Rod McGaha, Art Porter, Jesse Davis, Kenny Davis, and Ron Blake.

 

Joe started playing professionally at age 15, soon becoming one of the most in demand trumpet players in the Chicago area.  Over the years, he has worked with many excellent musicians, including Peter Nero, Michel LeGrande, Nelson Riddle, Lou Marini, Jon Faddis, Phil Wilson, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana, James Moody, Jeff Jarvis, Chris Vadala, Manny Albam, and Bob Curnow.  Mr. Gross auditioned for and won a position working with Louise Mandrell in 1991, where he also worked with her sisters, Barbara and Erlene.  In 1995, Joe also auditioned for and won a position with the Jazz Knights, where he remained a regular member and featured soloist until January 2003.  The Jazz Knights were until recently a component of the United States Military Academy Band, stationed in West Point, New York.  It is one of the Army’s premier Special Bands. 

 

Mr. Gross currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is very active in the music scene.  During his time in Nashville, he has performed with Claude McKnight, Jeff Coffin, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, and Chester Thompson, among many other great musicians.