Don Ross (guitarist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Ross
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Don Ross in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Donald James Ross |
| Born | November 19, 1960 Montreal, Quebec |
| Origin | Windsor, Nova Scotia |
| Genres | New-age, pop rock, folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Duke Street, Sony, Narada, CandyRat, Goby Fish |
| Associated acts | Men of Steel, Andy McKee, Julie Malia (AKA Jule Malischke). |
Donald James Ross, born on November 19, 1960, is a famous Canadian fingerstyle guitarist. This means he plays the guitar using his fingers instead of a pick. He made history by being the first person to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship two times. He won in 1988 and again in 1996. His album, Huron Street, was very popular. It even reached the top ten on the Billboard New-age music chart.
Contents
Biography
Don Ross was born in Montreal, Quebec. His father was an immigrant from Scotland. His mother was from the Mi'kmaq First Nation. Don is a member of the Millbrook First Nation.
Early Life and Education
Don studied music at York University in Toronto. He learned about composing music there. In 1983, he earned a special degree in music. After that, he thought about becoming a priest. He studied philosophy for a while. But then he decided to follow his passion for music. He chose to become a full-time musician instead.
Starting His Music Career
In 1986, Don released his first album, Kehewin, on cassette. He started performing music full-time. For a few years, he played with his late wife, Kelly McGowan. They performed as a duo. Later, they formed a trio called Harbord Trio. They played with violinist Oliver Schroer. Don was also part of a jazz quartet called Eye Music.
He wrote music for plays about First Nations life. These plays were shown in Toronto. He also composed music for a radio show called Dead Dog Café on the CBC. In 1987, some of his songs were played by big orchestras. These included the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Winning Awards and Releasing Albums
Don tried to win the American Walnut Valley Festival three times. He finally won first place in 1988. This win helped him get a contract with Duke Street Records. He released two albums with them: Bearing Straight (1989) and Don Ross (1990). Famous musician Michael Hedges even wrote a tribute to Don.
Don has released many instrumental CDs since then. He has also published instructional videos. These videos teach others how to play guitar like him. He also wrote a book with nine of his guitar pieces. In 1996, he won the Walnut Valley Festival again. He was the first person to win it twice!
Family Life and Workshops
In 2001, Don's first wife, Kelly McGowan, passed away. Don was a single dad for four years. In 2005, he married Brooke Miller. She is also a singer-songwriter.
Don started leading guitar workshops in 1997. These workshops are called the Don Ross Cannington Guitar Weekend. He teaches guitar to other musicians. He has held these workshops in different places.
New Record Label and Collaborations
In 2005, Don Ross was the first artist to join CandyRat Records. This is an indie record label. Many other talented guitarists have joined this label too.
Don has toured with a guitar group called Men of Steel. This group includes musicians from different countries. They play different styles of music. Don often performs by himself. But he also plays with other musicians. These include Andy McKee and Brooke Miller. He also has a jazz and funk band. It is called Don Ross Louder Than Usual.
Teaching and Recent Achievements
From 2010 to 2011, Don taught at Dalhousie University. He taught about the history of guitar. He also taught guitar techniques. He stopped teaching because he was very busy with concerts. He travels all over the world to perform.
Don has lived in different cities in Canada. He lived in Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax. He also lived in Charlottetown. He currently lives in Windsor, Nova Scotia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Don studied online. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Orchestration in 2021. Since then, he has been composing music for video games, films, and TV shows. In 2021, Don won a special award. It was the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. In 2023, Don released his newest solo album, WATER. This album features collaborations with other artists. These include Bruce Cockburn and Brooke Miller.
Don Ross's daughter is a writer named Tara McGowan-Ross.
Style and Technique
Don Ross's music mixes different styles. He uses ideas from blues, jazz, folk, and classical music. He calls his unique style "heavy wood."
Don gets his ideas from many great musicians. Some of his inspirations are Bruce Cockburn and John Renbourn. One of his songs, "Michael, Michael, Michael," is a tribute to Michael Hedges. Don's playing is very special. He uses advanced techniques. He has a strong sense of rhythm. He often uses percussive techniques. This means he taps or hits the guitar to make drum-like sounds. He also plays complex patterns with his thumb. Many other guitarists have learned these techniques from him. Don uses acrylic nails when he plays. This helps him get a clear and consistent sound. It also prevents his fingernails from breaking.
Don Ross started his career playing a Lowden S-10 guitar. Later, he played a Lowden O-10. Today, he plays custom-made guitars. These guitars are made by Marc Beneteau. He is a Canadian luthier. A luthier is someone who builds and repairs string instruments. Don's guitars have special pickups. Sometimes, he plays a baritone guitar or a harp guitar. These are also made by Marc Beneteau. He also uses a custom 7-string guitar by Oskar Graf.
Bruce Cockburn once wrote about Don Ross. He said, "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control." This shows how amazing Don's guitar playing is.
Discography
Solo or duo
- 1989: Bearing Straight, (Duke Street)
- 1990: Don Ross, (Duke Street)
- 1992: Three Hands, (Duke Street)
- 1995: This Dragon Won't Sleep, (Sony Canada)
- 1996: Wintertide, (Sony Canada)
- 1997: Loaded, Leather, Moonroof, (Sony Canada)
- 1999: Passion Session, (Narada)
- 2001: Huron Street, (Narada)
- 2003: Robot Monster, (Narada)
- 2005: Music for Vacuuming, (CandyRat)
- 2006: Men of Steel - Four Way Mirror, (Goby Fish)
- 2006: Live in Your Head, (Goby Fish)
- 2007: Wave From Your Window, (Goby Fish)
- 2008: The Thing That Came from Somewhere, with Andy McKee (CandyRat)
- 2009: Any Colour, (Goby Fish)
- 2010: Breakfast for Dogs, (CandyRat)
- 2012: Upright and Locked Position, (CandyRat)
- 2013: 12:34, with Calum Graham (CandyRat)
- 2014: PS15, (CandyRat)
- 2014: Flake, (CandyRat)
- 2017: A Million Brazilian Civilians, (CandyRat)
- 2023: Water (GFM)
Groups
- 1990: Circle of Stone, by Harbord Trio (Don Ross/Kelly McGowan/Oliver Schroer) (Familiar Music)
- 2003: Live: The Art of the Steel-String Guitar, by Men of Steel (Don Ross/Beppe Gambetta/Dan Crary/Tony McManus), (Thunderation)
- 2006: Four Way Mirror, by Men of Steel (Don Ross/Beppe Gambetta/Dan Crary/Tony McManus), (Goby Fish)
- 2019: Don Ross Louder Than Usual, with Andrew Craig on keyboards, Jordan O’Connor on bass, Marito Marques on drums, and Don Ross on guitar and vocals (GFM)
DVDs
- 2004: Don Ross: Live, (CandyRat)
- 2006: Don Ross/Andy McKee/Michael Manring: Live in Toronto, (CandyRat)
See also
In Spanish: Don Ross para niños
- Jon Gomm
- Erik Mongrain
- Andy Mckee
- First Nations music
- Music of Canada
