Ross Bellenoit

Bio:

PRESS RELEASE FOR "EIGHT TRACK MIND" At the over-ripened age of 28, Ross Bellenoit has found himself bubbling and bursting with creative works of song and dance. He writes songs of pith and mercy to the whim of whatever genre agrees with his insight. Swinging, wine-glass grooves or stinking, rock and roll shouting matches can live peacefully with each other in a set. Bellenoit writes catchy tunes that both Cole Porter and Elvis Costello could approve/sneer at, and yet never agree with each other. Lyrical subjects range from hope (universal) to apocalypse (personal), but written with such cleverness and beauty that you'll want to hear them over and over again.

Having spent the better part of seven years developing his career as an all-around sideman (ace guitarist, even more ace setlist writer, incredibly ace vibe setter), he has learned much from the master songwriters that he cut his teeth with. Philadelphia's own Amos Lee, Birdie Busch, Devin Greenwood and John Francis are just a handful of the many tune-smiths he has collaborated with. Having learned (and occasionally unlearned) his lessons, he is now setting out into the world on his very own ship made of song. Pay attention: you just might hear something worth hearing.

On December 18th, 2010, Johnny Brendas (the wonderful center for all things musically awesome) will host the release party for his 12 inch vinyl release. That's right. VINYL! And, as a bonus for the non-turntable-owning-few, the vinyl comes with a Digital Download card, so you can have a legitimate "ones and zeros" version of the record for your iTunes and such.

Joining this musical event will be some really incredible artists of whom I have had the extreme pleasure of collaborating with for these many years. Opening the evening will be the incredible tunesmith, Zach Djanikian, whose works of song recall the elegance of Paul Simon, the daring of Joni Mitchell and the audacious soulfulness of Stevie Wonder. Next up will be Birdie Busch, and if you haven't heard her (which is close to impossible, if you live in Philly), now is the time. Her music is a reminder of everything that is good in the world. Even the bad stuff. Her live sets are always ones to remember. Mr. Ross Bellenoit will be closing out the evening with a fiery set featuring works from the record and brand new ones, as well...

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Ross Bellenoit at 28 has already forged quite a career path, racking up impressive credits as a guitarist, composer and producer. After moving to Philadelphia in 2003, Bellenoit quickly became the leading axe-man for a thriving singer-songwriter scene that spawned Amos Lee (Blue Note), Birdie Busch (Bar None), and ASCAP award-winner John Francis. More recently, he's been making his mark as a songwriter himself, and also as a recording producer and arranger.

Raised in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, Bellenoit trained on classical guitar for ten years (and viola for five) before studying jazz guitar at the University of the Arts — but Bellenoit is not the sort of musician who lets his studies do the talking. A spontaneous, in-the-moment improviser and consummate team player, Bellenoit has spent the past six years training himself to stay on his toes, and to anticipate the un-obvious. "If there's one thing that I try to keep aware of," Bellenoit says, "it's the song's temperament. Whether you're playing 'How High The Moon' to a handful of jazz aficionados or singing a folk tune that you wrote yourself, you have to surrender yourself completely to the moment. Serve the song, and the song will serve you."

Bellenoit more often than not can be found in the recording studio. He has contributed to a wide array of albums — rock records, jazz records, gospel records, R&B records, even a song about cheeseburgers written for Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig Laban. He's worked with renowned producers John Carter Cash, Phil Nicolo and Brian McTear — and now, working out of Turtle Studios in Old City, Bellenoit is producing records for singer-songwriters himself. His own group, the Little Rolling Thunder Revue, will release its full-length debut later this year, written and produced by Bellenoit start-to-finish.

Bellenoit has also racked up a considerable amount of touring experience, most notably touring with Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello as a member of Amos Lee's band in 2007. He's made multiple regional tours with honky-tonk group The Sweetback Sisters (with whom he appeared on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion") and fellow Philadelphian Birdie Busch, and he joined Joseph Parsons on tour in Europe in 2008.

Though he often collaborates with singer-songwriters, Bellenoit firmly believes it's important to keep mixing things up. He continues to hone his improvisational skills with local jazz combo the Jones Quintet, while keeping country chops sharp with the Sweetback Sisters. He is also likely to pick up any instrument and make music with it — banjo, mandolin, lap steel, bass, drums, piano, you name it.

"Versatility is the key," he says. "I've found myself playing all types of music, with all sorts of people, and there was something to be learned from each experience. I'm still learning today. I pray that I'll never get to the point where I think that I know everything — where's the fun in that?"

WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING:

"I'm not sure I've ever heard Ross play a bad note. It seems like he always finds a way to take each song to another level, but without ever distorting the original intent of the artist. That's a special gift, and probably the highest praise you can give to a producer or session musician."
- Jay Levin, Owner, Turtle Studios

'...It's worth noting that Bellenoit, AKA Rolling Thunder, is a musician who leaves cocky guitar guys in the audience squeezing their girlfriends a bit tighter on their way out the door. Bellenoit's skills are a local legend.'
- PLAY MAGAZINE, Tara Murtha

'...Bellenoit's (orginal composition) "Tria" shows his melodic and textural sensibilities as a composer.'
- JAZZIZ MAGAZINE

'...Bellenoit's electric guitar playing stands out the most, thanks to a concise solo that would have fit in on a great radio hit of the '70s, back when they'd call in the studio pro to lay one down'.
- THE DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, Ken Maiuri

Member Since:

March 19, 2006

Members:

Little Rolling Thunder Review:

Ross Bellenoit (lyricist/songwriter/guitarist)

Current line-up:
Justin Leigh (drums)
Adam Winokur (bass)
Nate Gonzalez (guitar/accordian)

Various collaborators included -
Ivan Funk (drums)
Todd Erk (bass)
Andy Keenan (guitar)
Jaron Olevsky (bass/vocals)
Fred Berman (drums/vocals)
Devin Greenwood (guitar)
Chris Dale (bass)
Makaya McCraven (drums)
Charlie Patierno (drums)

Influences:

life and the pursuit of reasonable happiness...

Sounds Like:

thunder...

Record Label:

Independant