Born and raised in London to a Jamaican father and Saint Lucian Mother, he began taking tenor horn lessons at the age of 8, then switched to tuba when he was in his mid-teens. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Cross is a core member of the jazz band Sons of Kemet. He has also worked with Moses Boyd and Nubya Garcia in his solo projects. Other collaborators include Jon Batiste, Emeli Sandé, Kano, Lafawndah, and Makaya McCraven.