Mark Gross Unpacks 40-Year Jazz Journey, Previews Ambitious New Album

His extensive recording credits exceed 100 jazz albums, including notable contributions to two Grammy Award-winning projects with the Dave Holland Big Band: "What Goes Around" on ECM Records and "Overtime" on Dare 2 Records. Beyond the jazz stage, Gross has contributed significantly to Broadway, performing in musicals such as "Five Guys Named Moe" (1992-1993), "Kat and the Kings" (1999-2000), "Swing!" (2000-2001), "After Midnight" (2013-2014), and "Ain't Too Proud, the Life and Times of The Temptations."

His presence has also extended to film and television, with appearances in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" (1992), "Annie" (2014), "Bolden," and the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire." In addition to his performance career, Gross is a dedicated educator, holding past positions at Princeton University, Prins Claus Conservatoire, William Paterson University, and Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. He currently serves as the Director of Jazz Instruction at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Gross's prior albums as a leader, including "Preach Daddy" (1997), "The Riddle of the Sphinx" (2000), "Blackside" (2013), and "+ Strings" (2018), have also garnered significant acclaim. Jazz legend Jimmy Heath praised "Blackside," stating, "This music is movin' and groovin' with historic elegance and euphoric relevance. I am proud to say these are the young 'Giants I Walk With'." Critics also lauded his earlier works, with Takao Ogawa of *Swing Journal*, Japan, describing Gross as "a new and powerful alto sax player who is a Cannonball type player. As you may presume … funky is his flavor. He…shows his modern modality which is reflected in his sound" for "Preach Daddy." Willard Jenkins, a regular contributor to *Jazz Times*, *Downbeat*, and *Jazz Report Magazine*, called "Riddle of the Sphinx" "one of the most clever to come down the pike…Mark Gross is a sax man deserving wider attention who is blessed with a rich, pure tone."

Gross himself reflected on his philosophy, seeking to balance an appreciation for classic jazz with a continuous drive to push the music forward. He stated, "I always like to understand the historical relation of jazz music, particularly with the diaspora and the African Americans who originally created this art form. Jazz is a music that embodies the blues, the sufferings of people, but also with a glimmer of hope and prosperity." He further elaborated that jazz encompasses spirituality, swing, pulse, and improvisation, all of which remain vital to its importance today.

When discussing his legacy, Gross expressed a desire for people to recognize that the intention behind his music was never self-indulgent. He hopes his work "adds to the fabric of the collective, something people can enjoy but also study and think about." More than accolades, he wishes to be remembered for his human elements, for being good to work with, and for striving to use music to make the world a better place. He also offered wisdom to younger musicians, advising them to have a plan, study consistently, practice with intention daily, avoid comparisons, and prepare for disappointment, echoing the sentiment of Charlie Parker, who once said that "if you don't live it, it will never come through your instrument."

As Mark Gross prepares to unveil "The Gospel According to Mark," his career continues to exemplify a deep reverence for jazz tradition coupled with an unyielding spirit of innovation. His journey from a gospel-infused Baltimore home to global stages and educational leadership underscores a profound commitment to the art form and its power to connect, uplift, and inspire across generations and cultures. His upcoming project is poised to be a testament to this enduring vision.