He is a percussionist born in Cincinnati, Ohio who studied at Northern Illinois University and graduated from there in 1971.
From 1973 to 1978 he was a member of the Grant Park Symphony and later returned there as a soloist in 1993.
He was appointed a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1979. During his time with the CSO he has performed nationally and internationally in numerous concerts and tours and has given performances as a soloist.
As a chamber and new music performer he has participated on the CSO chamber music series and played with several ensembles that include Chamber Music Chicago, the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players, Chicago Pro Musica, Summit Brass and the Vermeer Quartet.
Recordings he has performed on include The Medinah Sessions by Chicago Pro Musica, Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, Arnold Schonberg: Verklarte Nacht Op. 4/Piano Pieces Op. 11 & 19/Five Orchestral Pieces Op. 16, Wagner: Overtures and Preludes, Carter/Bero/Takemitsu: Partita/Continuo/Visions and the soundtrack of the film Lincoln by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Live by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass and The Season for Romance by Lee Ann Womack.
In the field of musical education he was on the percussion faculty of the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music and has been faculty member of the Eastman School of Music since 2015 and coached the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He has also given many masterclasses and clinics at various conservatories and colleges as well as at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
The James Ross Series of concert xylophone mallets have been produced by Innovative Percussion Inc.
He performs percussion here…
Sources:
- https://cso.org/about/performers/cso-musicians/percussion/percussion/james-ross/
- https://www.esm.rochester.edu/general/2015/10/percussionist-james-ross-joins-faculty-of-eastman-school-of-music/
- http://northfinearts.blogspot.com/2008/04/cso-percussionist-james-ross.html
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-ross-mn0002876371/credits
- https://www.discogs.com/it/artist/4004062-James-Ross-16
- https://www.innovativepercussion.com/artists/james_ross
- https://www.innovativepercussion.com/products/james_ross_series