Jens Kuross Explained

Jens Kuross
Birth Date:April 21st
Birth Place:Idaho, United States
Origin:Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre:Alternative
Occupation:Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument:Piano, keyboard, vocals, drums
Years Active:2015-present
Label:Aesop
Associated Acts:The Acid, Ry X, Howling
Website:http://www.jenskuross.com

Jens Kuross is an American singer-songwriter and musician based in Idaho. He has previously recorded and toured with The Acid Howling and RY X.

Personal life

Jens was born in Seattle, Washington, but moved to Ketchum, Idaho with his family when he was six years old. Jens began his professional music career at the age of 15 when he began drumming for a jazz trio in the Duchin room (named after the wife of American pianist and bandleader Eddie Duchin). He continued to play this gig regularly until he moved, sharing the bandstand with and learning from the gig's bassist, Jeff Rew, a former session player from San Diego who had spent time on the road with both Elvis Presley and the Buddy Rich big band.

After graduating from Wood River High School, Jens moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music, graduating with a degree in jazz drum set performance. He then moved to Los Angeles where he played in the local Jazz scene and worked as a session musician in a variety of genres and capacities. He earned a master's degree from Azusa Pacific University in Jazz Performance in 2013. Jens moved back to Idaho in 2020.

Career

In 2016, Jens Kuross released his self-titled debut EP via London-based record label Aesop. It gained favourable reviews from a number of high-profile blogs and publications, including The Line Of Best Fit[1] and DIY Magazine.[2]

In 2017, Kuross supported DJ/producer Bonobo (musician) on his sold-out European tour.[3] Later that year, Jens became a full-time member of The Acid,[4] and his single "Spiraling" was featured in the closing credits of an episode of Lucifer (TV series).

In April 2018, Kuross released his new EP, 'Art! at the expense of mental health, Vol. 1', supporting the release with two Europe tours. One supportingRhye and one supporting Mercury Prize-nominated Jazz trio GoGo Penguin. He also played his first London headline show at Servant Jazz Quarters, selling out the venue.

In October 2018, Kuross released the second installment of his 'Art! at the expense of mental health' project, 'Art! at the expense of mental health, Vol. 2'.

In April 2019, Jens Kuross released his single, 'Give Me Your Ghost'.

Alongside his solo endeavours, Kuross has forged a successful career as a studio and touring musician. He has performed and recorded with both Howling and RY X, alongside his time spent recording drum, percussion and keyboard parts for numerous LA-based jazz musicians and ensembles.[5]

Kuross released his debut album, The Man Nobody Can Touch, on 25 September 2020.

Discography

Extended plays

TitleAlbum DetailsNotes
Jens Kuross
  • Released: 17 November 2016
  • Label: Aesop
  • Format: Digital download
Track Listing!No.!Title!Length
1.Steadier3:55
2.Nobody's Problem4:31
3.Try To Follow5:48
4.Wilderness4:09
Art! at the expense of mental health, Vol. 1
  • Released: 13 April 2018
  • Label: Aesop
  • Format: Digital download
Track Listing!No.!Title!Length
1.I Only Ever Loved Your Ghost3:37
2.Forgive or Forget3:12
3.It Could Happen To You6:17
4.Everything Is Bought5:57
Art! at the expense of mental health, Vol. 2
  • Released: 26 October 2018
  • Label: Dirty Guns
  • Format: Digital download
Track Listing!No.!Title!Length
1.The Life Inside1:28
2.No Lights On4:38
3.Late Nights and Violence3:55
4.Everybody Wants to Rule the World3:44

Singles

YearTitleNotes
2020"Painkiller"
2020"Done With Dancing"
2019"Yard Two Stone" (with Lane 8)
2019"The Anchor"
2019"Happiness"
2019"Coldness Kills"
2019"Give Me Your Ghost"
2018"The Life Inside"
2018"I Only Ever Loved Your Ghost"
2017"Only The Lonely"
2017"Spiraling"
2016"We Will Run"
2016"Eclipse Apollo"

Notes and References

  1. News: Jens Kuross appears with a gorgeous, analogue debut in the shape of "Steadier". The Line of Best Fit. 2017-11-23. en.
  2. Web site: Jens Kuross navigates his own path on 'Eclipse Apollo'. DIY. 17 November 2016 . en. 2017-11-23.
  3. News: New acts have been added to the Bristol Sounds 2017 line-up. Earl. Grace. 2017-06-14. bristolpost. 2017-11-23.
  4. News: California Sounds: New electronic tracks from King Henry & Ry X, the Acid, DJDS and Matthewdavid. Roberts. Randall. Los Angeles Times. 2017-11-23. en-US.
  5. News: Red Light Management: Jens Kuross. redlightmanagement.com. 2017-11-24. en-US.