David Cross (musician)

English musician
the musician

David Cross (born 23 April 1949 in Turnchapel near Plymouth, England) is an English electric violinist and keyboardist best known for playing with progressive rock band King Crimson from 1972 to 1974. He had withdrawn personally from the other musicians over time, and had expressed frustration as his violin was increasingly overwhelmed by the other instruments during live performances. After his time with King Crimson, Cross travelled extensively, eventually returning to music through his work in theatre. In 1987 he formed an ensemble called Low Flying Aircraft with Keith Tippett on piano. In 1988, he was invited by keyboardist Geoff Serle to join Radius, with whom he has recorded five studio albums. Since the late 1980s, Cross has toured and recorded with his own eponymous band (see below). Over a 30 year period, the group has included saxophonist Pete McPhail, guitarists Paul Clark and Peter Claridge, bassists Simon Murrell, John Dillon (who also sang lead vocals) and Mick Paul, drummers Dan Maurer, Lloyd, Craig Blundell, Pat Garvey, Steve Roberts, and Jack Summerfield, keyboardists Sheila Maloney and Alex Hall, and lead singers Arch Stanton (Jonathan Casey) and Jinian Wilde. Former King Crimson musicians Robert Fripp, Pat Mastelotto and John Wetton, as well as former Crimson lyricists Peter Sinfield and Richard Palmer James have all contributed to Cross's albums. Prominent session work includes recordings with Clearlight, Jade Warrior and Tony Levin's Stick Men (with whom Cross toured). Recently, Cross has released a series of duo recordings with Robert Fripp, Andrew Keeling, Andrew Booker (of No Man), David Jackson (formerly of Van der Graaf Generator) and the late Peter Banks (formerly of Yes), the latter two including a full band. Cross has composed music for theatre and also worked as an actor. He runs his own record label, Noisy Records.

The David Cross Band was established in 1988/89. The first edition of the group consisted of keyboardist Sheila Maloney, bassist Simon Murrell (soon replaced by bassist & vocalist John Dillon), saxophonist Pete McPhail and drummer Dan Maurer. The longest serving members of the group are guitarist Paul Clark (since 1994) and bassist Mick Paul (since 1995). The David Cross Band have released seven albums that blend elements of progressive rock, heavy metal, classical, ambient, jazz and experimental music.

Cross has been a senior lecturer in Music Education at London Metropolitan University.