John A. Ross

John Andrew Ross (December 15, 1940 – June 12, 2006) was an African American jazz musician, composer, musical director, and choral conductor. Ross was born and raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts and remained in the Boston, Massachusetts area for his whole life. While growing up in Roxbury, Ross's home was frequently visited by his father's college roommate, Langston Hughes. The relationship shared between Hughes and Ross would later manifest as Ross becoming the musical director of Langston Hughes's gospel play "Black Nativity".

Biography Early life John Ross was born to Olga Evelyn White and Melvin Everand Ross on December 15, 1940. He grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts, with his parents and sister Paula Ann Ross. His childhood was heavily influenced by music and the presence of Langston Hughes. Hughes would come and stay with Ross's family when he lectured in Boston, Massachusetts because of his long-standing relationship with Ross's father, Melvin. As a child, Ross was somewhat unaware of Hughes's celebrity status and was able to maintain an organic relationship with the Harlem Renaissance writer.

Education Ross began attending Boston University to pursue a concentrated degree in Church Music.

Black Nativity Ross joined the production of "Black Nativity" as the Musical Director in 1970. His work with "Black Nativity" is what he is most known for. Ross remained as the Musical Director until his passing in 2006. The first production of "Black Nativity" that Ross worked on drew inspiration from the voice of Vivian Cooley-Collier.

Awards and honors

1981 Ross won the Regional Emmy Award with Billy Wilson for his work on "Blue and Gone" 1990 Ross won the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the City of Boston 2000 Ross won the New England Conservatory Anna Bobbitt Gardener Lifetime Achievement Award 2005 Ross received the Tri-Ad Veterans League award for Music and Theater 2006 Before Ross' passing he received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Friends of the Urban League