Canadian guitar virtuoso Don Ross is set to break his five-year absence from Victoria's music scene with a performance at the First Church of Christ Scientist on Pandora Avenue, bringing along a guitarist from Europe for a unique collaborative show.
The Nov. 10 concert will pair Ross, the only musician to twice claim the U.S. National Finger-Style Guitar Championship, with acclaimed German guitarist and songwriter Jule Malischke. The evening will unfold in three distinct segments, beginning with a solo set by Malischke, followed by Ross's individual performance, before the two artists unite for a final collaborative set.
Ross's return to Victoria arrives on the heels of several significant career achievements, including his recent collaboration with Canadian music icon Bruce Cockburn on the 2023 release WATER. His innovative approach to finger-style guitar playing has amassed millions of YouTube views.
The guitarist's accolades include multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, a JUNO nomination, and Guitar Player Magazine's Best New Talent recognition. Most recently, Ross was awarded the prestigious Walter Carlton Prize for Excellence in Performing Arts by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Malischke, recognized as one of Europe's premier guitarists, brings a distinguished reputation to the collaboration. Her performances are known for seamlessly bridging various guitar styles while combining technical virtuosity with exceptional songwriting abilities. The duo's artistic partnership was forged during a European guitar festival, where they discovered a unique musical chemistry that demanded further exploration.
