Born in Montréal, Québec, and of Mi’kmaw heritage, Don Ross stands among Canada’s most celebrated and influential guitarists. A two-time winner of the U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, he has built a remarkable career as a performer, composer, and recording artist whose work transcends genre and geography.
A graduate of York University (BFA, Music) and the University of Chichester (MA, Orchestration for Film, Games, and Television), Don has been a full-time professional musician since 1988. His discography spans over a dozen acclaimed solo and collaborative albums released through labels such as Duke Street/MCA, Columbia/Sony Music, Narada/EMI, and CandyRat Records, as well as several independent releases, including Water (2023), featuring collaborations with Bruce Cockburn, Michael Manring, and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
His international touring career has taken him across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, performing thousands of concerts both solo and with artists such as Andy McKee, Calum Graham, and his improvisatory quartet Don Ross Louder Than Usual.
Beyond the stage, Don is an accomplished composer for film, television, and games, with scores commissioned by the CBC, Kino Lorber (NYC), and the National Gallery of Canada. His works have been performed by major ensembles, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 2021, Don was awarded the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts, recognizing his outstanding contribution to Canada’s musical landscape.
