[3] After high school, he entered the Air Force, where he associated with trumpeter Richard Williams, saxophonist Frank Haynes, and pianist Freddie Redd.
[1] He then went to California, where he performed in bands led by Larry Williams and Monty Waters, and also led his own group, which featured saxophonists Waters and Dewey Redman, trumpeters Alden Griggs and Norman Spiller, pianist Sonny Donaldson, bassist Benny Wilson, and drummer Art Lewis.
"[4] During the 1970s, he participated in the loft jazz scene, and recorded with Rashied Ali, Noah Howard, Juma Sultan, and Charles Tyler.
[7][8] In 1981, he reunited with Tyler in Stockholm, recording the live albums Definite Volumes 1 and 2, both of which feature his compositions.
[1] The 2003 album Live at the Vision Festival by saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc features a composition titled "Blues for Earl Cross.