R O S S   B E L L E N O I T       guitarist & composer

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EDUCATION:
Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter High School, Hadley, MA 1997-2001
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, Fall 2001 to Spring 2002
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, Graduation 12/06
Bachelor of Music, with honors. Major, jazz guitar performance
Recipient of the James Bruno Sr. Guitar Award

GROUPS/EMPLOYMENT:
Amos Lee - Guitarist, Fall 2007, on tour opening for Bob Dylan Sept/Oct 2007
John Francis - Collaborator/Guitarist since Fall of 2003
The Ross Bellenoit Quintet - Founder Spring 2004
Devin Greenwood - Collaborator/Guitarist since Summer of 2005
Birdie Busch - Guitarist/Multi-instrumentalist since Fall of 2005
The Sweetback Sisters - Guitarist/Lap-steelist/shout!-ist since Summer of 2006
Cowmuddy - Guitarist/Multi-instrumentalist since Spring of 2005
The Systematics - Founding member since January 2001 to present
The Miro Sprague Quintet - Guitarist May 2002 - August 2003
Sonya Kitchell - Guitarist from June 2002 - August 2003
Absolute Jazz - Founding member September 1997 - June 2001
Dave Elvin's Blindford Test - Member May 2003 - present
Strings & Things: Jazz Duo with Jeff Guerin - Member January 2003 to August 2003
Majority Rules - Member Spring 1998 - Fall 2000

Has also shared the stage with:
Peter Mulvey, Kim Nazarian (of the New York Voices), Kris Delmhorst, Amos Lee, 5-Alone, Stephen Tirpak, Jeffrey Gaines, Ian Thomas, Simon Stanford, Melody Gardot, Carol Riddick, and others!

AWARDS:
Featured on NPR's "A Prarie Home Companion hosted by Garrison Keillor" performing with The Sweetback Sisters as part of their "People with Talent in their Twenties Contest" in April 2007.

Ross Bellenoit Quintet featured in National Distributed JAZZIZ Magazine on Student Music Edition (October 2005) Sampler CD, featuring original composition "Tria."

Performed with the Absolute Jazz Alumni Group (Miro Sprague, Chris Frantz-Dale and Riley Godleski) at the International Association of Jazz Educators Annual Conference in New York City in January of 2004.

Downbeat Magazine 2001 National Student Music Awards: 2001- "Outstanding performance" for instrumental soloist in the blues/pop/rock category.

UMass 2000 High School Jazz festivals. Received outstanding musician award and scholarship to UMass summer camp program "Jazz in July."

RECORDINGS:
The Sweetback Sisters (Chickin ain't Chicken, 2009).
John Francis (2009) recorded at John Carter Cash Studios, Nashville, TN.
Joseph Parsons (Heavens Above release September 2008)
Penny Arcade (2007) Birdie Busch
Silver Storms (2007) The A-Sides
EP (2006) Devin Greenwood
Who Cares? (2006) Stephen Tirpak
Exhibit A (2006) Seth Kallen & The Reaction
E.P. (2006) Adrien Reju
Strong Wine & Spirits (2005) John Francis
JazzIz Magazine - Student Music Edition (2005) --- Quintet featured original composition "Tria"
Philadelphia E.P. (2004) John Francis
Midnight (2003) The Miro Sprague Quintet
Full Circle (2003) The Systematics
Live at the Iron Horse! (2002) 5-Alone (guest)
Trio Mission (2002) Miro Sprague Trio (guest)
Demo/EP (2001) The Systematics
A Tribute to Miles Davis (2001) Absolute Jazz
Majority Rules (2001) Outside & (1998) "No Explanation Needed"

TEACHERS:
(classical) Phillip de Fremery, Benjamin Verdery, Carol Hutter
(jazz) Robert Ferrier, Joe LeCreta, Tony Lechner, Chris Fournier, Tom Giacabetti, Jimmy Bruno, & Mike Quaile.