Don Ross

Canadian guitarist Don Ross built a formidable standing in music circles through his distinctive approach to composition and performance on the instrument, with some observers ranking him among the finest players worldwide. Born in 1960, he absorbed an early passion for music from both parents. At age eight he launched a self-directed exploration of the acoustic guitar, and within a few years he had advanced sufficiently to experiment with varied fingerstyle methods. After completing his studies at York University in 1983, he turned his full attention to a professional path three years later.

In late 1988 he captured the United States National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, which quickly led to a recording agreement with Duke Street Records. Over the ensuing period he issued the albums Bearing Straight, Three Hands, and an untitled project. His subsequent long-form release, This Dragon Won't Sleep, appeared on the Sony Music imprint in 1995. The following year brought the seasonal collection Wintertide: Guitar Music for Christmas, and Ross again claimed the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship—an unprecedented second victory. Loaded. Leather. Moonroof. reached listeners in 1997, followed by Passion Session in 1999. Two years later Huron Street surfaced on the Narada label.