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Leon T Gross was born in New Orleans in September 1912 and became interested in music at a early age, learning the piano as a child. He worked at parties and 'fraternity houses' in the New Orleans area during the 1930's and early 1940's. When the USA entered the Second World War Gross joined the U.S. Army  and was stationed in Bombay. After his discharge he returned to the French Quarter of New Orleans and worked in the barrelhouses and parties in the area. In the 1950's he regularly performed at the Poodle Patio Club in New Orleans, recording for the Imperial label at this time. In the 1960's he moved to Chicago and worked at Nero's Club. 

Gross was a major influence on many great piano players including Dr. John, James Booker, Huey Piano Smith, and Fats Domino. Although he had a major hit with "Stack-O-Lee", he generally received little attention or acclaim and he left behind only this one album. It has been said that years of alcohol abuse finally took its toll and that this led to his relatively premature death in 1973 at the age of 61.