Inspired by his band leader father, Don Ambrose, the popular Dallas jazz pianist and the leader of the Don Ambrose Trio, began playing professionally at age fifteen. Ambrose started his musical career as a drummer and vibraphone player in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. He studied privately and performed in New York City. Performances in New York City included various venues and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. During his college career, he was a member of the award winning college group at the prestigious Wichita Jazz Festival, where he was recognized as one of the outstanding players, and also performed at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival.

In 1992, the Don Ambrose Trio - Ambrose on piano, James Gilyard on bass and drummer Ted Wasser - recorded their debut album entitled, "The Art Of Conversation". Their latest recording, "The Gift", was recorded in 2000 and features some of the songs that are most popular in the trio's public appearances. Bassist, James Gilyard, produced both albums. Don has also demonstrated his compositional skills in collaboration with singer/lyricist Bettye Pierce Zoller on a composition entitled "What Is Jazz?".

In addition to having performed at the Jazz Under The Stars concert series and Thursday Night Jazz at the Dallas Museum of Art, Ambrose has appeared with Mel Torme, Ramsey Lewis, and at The Sammons Center for the Arts Jazz series, The Meyerson Symphony hall and the Dallas Shakespeare Festival's Jazz In The Park. The trio has also performed in support of World Cup Soccer, The America's Cup Kickoff, The NFL Eastern division championship reception, Mary Kay Cosmetic's annual convention, The GTE Byron Nelson Golf Tournament and the USA Film Festival. Ambrose has also performed for dignitaries such as President and Mrs. George W. Bush (while Governor of Texas), Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Ross Perot, Bill Blass, Lezza Gibbons, Ungaro, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Lady Bird Johnson and Lord Callahan, former prime Minister of the United Kingdom.