Ross received his first accordion at age ten, by the time he was eleven he had progressed from playing at the family picnics to the local Greek Café at Etty Bay Beach. His musical tastes have been influenced by the cultures of Eastern Europe, music of Argentinian Composer Astor Piazzolla, and electronic Nuevo Tango. Later discovering the intricate fabrics created by British & American pop, Jazz and the deeper roots of Western American music. And yes… Rap works as the new form of cross-musical communication!
As a musical artiste Ross went on to win many awards. In 1995 he was awarded the MO AWARD for Best Variety Instrumentalist (first solo Accordionist to win this award). He was awarded the Australian Club Entertainment Award for Instrumental Act Of The Year in 1998, 2004 and 2007. In July 2008 Ross was invited by Paramount Pictures to be featured on accordion with a 65-piece Orchestra at Sydney's State Theatre, to premiere the Godfather Symphony live.
Television: Performance on the Midday Show with Maria Venuti. The Midday Show with combined International Accordion Orchestra. Channel 9’s Today Show, feature story on Accordion Extravaganza Night at the Marconi Club. SBS Cabaret Series with Tommy and Orchestra. Mornings With Kerri-Anne and Commercials: Accordion tracks and jingle for Jamie Rigg, The Sandman in Siberia, Strictly Dancing,Edgells, Chanel Perfume, She Magazine, Raguletto, McDonalds, Coca Cola,Toyota, Mercedes Benz and too many to mention. (Visual and audio) - Pizza Hut - AMI Insurance Radio: ABC Radio National, interview with Louise Adler featuring the novel by Anne Proulx: “Accordion Crimes”.
Movies: ‘The Hijacking Of the Achille Lauro’ - As an Italian Musical Trio (visual/ audio)
Live: Featured soloist at Opera House Concerts with Tommy Tycho & David Gray. Royal Command Performance for the Prince & Princess of Kent. Tours: Performed and adjudicated at the New Zealand Federation of Accordionists’
National Competitions in Christchurch and Auckland NZ.
He has the supported the internationally renowned Scottish tenor, Kenneth Mckellar subsequently touring Australia and New Zealand.
Produced: That’s Amore Show. Bavarian Kabaret Fest. Accordions Of the World. Great Divas & Maestros.
Recording: Producing tracks for Squeeze Records, including Ross Maio’s The Squeezer - Cocktails at Oasis-3 and Mondo Accordion – By Request.
International: Hong Kong - Sheraton Hotel, Singapore - Hilton and Shangri-La Hotels, Arab Emirates - Dubai Sheraton Hotel, Also Tahiti, Mauritius, New Guinea and New Caledonia.
Cruises: Sailed the Mediterranean and the South Pacific waters on Cunard Lines - QE2 and Sagafjord, P&O Cruises, CTC Cruises. Princess Cruises Lines, Norwegian Star. Sagarose and Japanese Cruise Ship Asuka.
Charities: Amnesty International, Handicapped Children, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Rotary Conventions, Little Sisters of the Poor, The Red Cross And Variety Club.
