Don Ross

Donald James Ross (born November 19, 1960) is a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist. He was born in Montreal, of Scottish-Mi'kmaq parents and earned his BFA from York University in 1983. He was the first person to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship twice (1988 and 1996). His album "Huron Street" reached the top ten on the Billboard New-age chart. In 2021, Don won the prestigious Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts. Ross's music borrows from blues, jazz, folk and classical music creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood." Ross's advanced technique and his sure feeling for rhythm combine with uncommon ideas to make his style instantly recognizable. He often uses percussive techniques and plays intricate down and upstroke patterns with his thumb. Ross names Bruce Cockburn, John Renbourn, Pierre Bensusan, Keith Jarrett, Egberto Gismonti and Pat Metheny as his main sources of inspiration. Self-taught as a guitarist in the folk-based fingerpicking style, and a pupil of David Mott, James Tenney, and Phil Werren in composition at York University, Ross began his professional career in 1986 with the release of a cassette recording, "Kehewin." His first place win, after two previous attempts, in the 1988 American Walnut Valley Festival earned him a contract with Duke Street Records, Toronto, where he published his next two albums, 1989's "Bearing Straight" and 1990's "Don Ross." In 2005, Don entered into negotiations with the internet-based label startup CandyRat Records, and became the company's first signed artist. In 2010–2011 Ross was a Dalhousie University professor teaching history of guitar and techniques, while still travelling extensively for music. Don currently lives in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. Don Ross's innovative fingerstyle technique, compositional creativity, and ability to push the boundaries of acoustic guitar have made him one of the most respected guitarists in the world.

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