CrossWork is guided by a simple and clear vision: to positively impact people’s lives with music. To CrossWork’s members, that means all people, regardless of race, nationality, income, or education. That’s why CrossWork has ministered to a variety of people in diverse environments…from a coffeehouse in Ocala that feeds the homeless, to a Franklin Graham Festival training seminar, to a youth rally. The band also has entertained thousands of fans at clubs and public festivals (such as the Gainesville Spring Arts festival) across north Florida. CrossWork’s songs encourage listeners and challenge them to examine the frailty of life without a relationship with God. The band’s goal is to continue to be a musical partner with local, state, national and international ministries and make a positive difference in the lives of its listeners.

As a pianist, songwriter, and producer, Garrett Hall has been involved in numerous musical ensembles as a keyboardist, percussionist, saxophonist, and tuba/contrabass player. Hall began his public music career in the late ‘80s in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when during high school he was the City of Sunrise Jazz Ensemble’s first-ever tuba player. Shortly thereafter, he toured the country as a contrabassist in the Florida Wave drum and bugle corp. In the mid ‘90s Hall was a songwriter and keyboard player for Tabasco Cat, a Gainesville-based rock and funk band. Between 1996 and 2000, Hall departed from public performing for a season to pursue his Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Florida. It was during this time he composed a soundtrack for “One Heart, Many Voices,” a video produced by the Institute for Child Health Policy for Family Voices. From 1998 through 2000 he served as a member of the Family Church Music Leadership Team and a member of the Youth Ministry Team. Since then, Hall has established CrossWork with Tyler Elder and is building CrossWork’s reputation as a leading Christian rock and fusion band. An award-winning vocalist, Tyler Elder has performed as a soloist and as the tenor voice in numerous vocal ensembles in a variety of settings, including live performances and studio work. Elder’s vocal accolades include the United States’ Southeast Regional winner for the Smith Music Group, Inc.’s talent search in 1997. In 1998 and again in 1999, Elder placed first in the Columbia County Fair Association and Power Country 102 FM’s Talent Search. One of his fondest memories is performing the National Anthem for 30,000 people with Par 4, an a cappella quartet, at then Joe Roby Stadium before the start of a Florida Marlins baseball game. Elder has served as a lead male soloist at the Family Church and is often requested to sing at church services, weddings, and other special events. Elder received a degree in Sacred Music from Florida Southern College in 1995. Guitarist Jeff Rafuse, the youngest member of CrossWork, recently relocated to Gainesville, Florida, after living in Seattle and Dallas. While in Seattle, Rafuse immersed himself in the alternative rock culture. He wrote and produced music for the Seattle-based alternative rock band, Temporary. Two of Temporary’s songs were featured on the soundtrack for Stingray, a motion picture directed by Scott Murray in 1999. Rafuse is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

CrossWork’s music has been described as a mix of rock, jazz hip-hop, and fusion. Foundational rock beats and percussive grooves provide the pulse and energy, and ambient jazz and power chords provide emotion and reflection. The band is equally at home with an edgy sound or an acoustic ballad. The nucleus of the group is Tyler Elder on vocals, Garrett Hall on keys, and Jeff Rafuse on guitar. Elder can hit and sustain the highs with unwavering clarity; Rafuse can bring the thunder and the rain both in a lead and rhythm role; and Hall sets the tone with his deft programming prowess and keyboard play.Fans young and old embrace CrossWork’s diverse sound. The band released a 3-song project in 2001 that featured the Latin rock/fusion I Delight in You, and the jazzier/blusier Hold on to Jesus, and River Jordan. CrossWork’s latest 3-song release features a more rock-style sound. The project was recorded in 2003 at Gainesville’s RecRoom Recording Studio and engineered by producer and Grammy- and Dove-award-winning musician, Ronny Cates. All three songs on the latest release, By Faith, I am not Mine, and What are we here For?, have reached hundreds of thousands of radio listeners in north Florida. In January 2004, CrossWork was interviewed and featured on 91.7, WJLF FM.