American Blues & Roots Artist

My name is Billy 'Chapeau' Gross

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1948 and moved to New York in 1963. In the 70's I traveled Europe as a street musician. In 1979, I co-founded The Lost Wandering Blues & Jazz Band with my two friends Dan Fitzgerald and Brian White. Together, and often featuring new up and coming artists we played a repertoire of our favorite music from Ma Rainey to Bob Dylan.

After twelve years of touring the USA and Europe, I settled in Denmark in 1990, collaborating with Jonathan Ash in the rock musical Rock Clock, performing over eight years for more than 150,000 people across Northern Europe.

Today, I continue my musical exploration, both as a solo performer and often partnering with talents such as Neil Stanford, Søren 'Hawk' Høg, and my son, Spencer Gross, playing covers and original compositions from the musical palette of American roots, blues, swing, country, and folk.

I started playing the harmonica, otherwise know as the mouth harp, when I was 14, and it has been with me all my life, wherever I've gone. If you're just starting, or you've been playing for a while, I have a program for you. I'd like to give you the building blocks to help you on the way to becoming the harp player that you want to be, with the sound that you want to hear. Let's get on the road and get into the joys of this amazing little instrument.

There are many kinds of harmonicas, and many styles of harmonica playing. I concentrate on the 10-hole diatonic harmonica. This is also widely known as the blues harp. Of course you can play a wide range of other styles on this harmonica, including country, folk and traditional melodies.

Maybe you've fallen in love with the sound of Little Walter, Sonny Terry or Junior Wells; or perhaps you are wondering what Bob Dylan is up to? Drop me a line for more info or to set up your first lesson.

Lessons are available either online or in person.