Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

Arguably Canada’s most celebrated and gifted guitarist, Don Ross is a phenomenon. Every time he plays at the Rogue we are swamped with requests for tickets, and he must surely be one of our most popular performers.

Don is the son of a Scotsman and a Mi’kmaq mother. He learned to play guitar at a young age and developed his own uniquely percussive - and very funky - style. Perhaps it has something to do with his early love of Motown, but there is something irresistibly syncopated about his compositions and his playing style. At the age of 28 he was Canada’s first U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, winning the prestigious competition in Winfield Kansas which is based not just on technique but also on emotional depth and sensitivity. In 1996 he became the first person ever to win that contest twice.

His first championship led him to a recording contract with Duke Street Records, and brought him out to B.C. on his first Canada-wide tour (playing the North Shore’s Scandalous Folk Club that year, and then moving to the Rogue the following year.) Since then he has been signed to a multi-album contract by Narada World Music and expanded his playing range to incorporate a deeply resonant 7 string baritone guitar.

His first two Narada CDs - Passion Session and Huron Street - showcased his solo work with no backing musicians. His latest recording, Robot Monster, is his funkiest yet, and sees a return to a creative groove that had been stifled by the tragic death of his wife Kelly in 2001.

Last year he played to a full house with Tony McManus, Beppe Gambetta & Dan Crary (Men of Steel) at Cap. Now he’s solo again at St. James. This will also be a sell out, I reckon. Can’t wait!!