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Ramona Borthwick

Born and raised in Bombay, a mega-metropolis on the west coast of India, Ramona Borthwick was exposed to music at an early age. Encouraged by her father, a well known musician and film composer, she began piano studies at age five, soon followed by studies in Western classical music. A move to Canada in the early 90's and later Boston, MA, allowed her to widen her artistic depth and growth as a musician, composer and teacher.

Her latest project, released in November 2009 and her second jazz CD release as a leader, showcases her evolution as an artist and composer. "One Of Us" is a celebration of planet Earth, reflecting on the urgency for us to act as protectors of its bounties. The ten original compositions written specifically for this project, feature Ramona's distinctive writing, playing and vocal styling, as well as great performances from trumpet/flugelhorn player Ingrid Jensen, guitarist Noel Borthwick, bassist Johannes Weidenmueller and drummer Adam Cruz. Even more so than the her previous release, Ramona's compositions are a highlight, yielding deeply harmonic music that stimulates vibrant and spirited playing from the quintet.

Ramona currently resides in Boston, MA, where she continues to write and perform. She is also actively involved with music education, conducting workshops and lessons from her studio. A graduate in Economics, she holds degrees in piano performance from the Trinity College and Royals Schools of Music, London, UK. A talented graphic artist and web designer, her company Leitmotif specializes in graphic design & web development, and is well known for its work helping musicians and artists establish their web identity since the mid 90's and the early years of the web.

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266
Album Review

Ramona Borthwick: One of Us

Read "One of Us" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Pianist Ramona Borthwick is nothing if not generous--offering up over seventy minutes of quality music on this, her second recording as leader. That the music is constantly arresting is testament to the quality of the arrangements and, in equal measure, to the virtuosity displayed by her quintet.

In effect, the quintet becomes at times a sextet as Borthwick employs her voice like an additional wind instrument to wonderful effect, adding rich harmonic and melodic tones to the music. ...

190
Album Review

Ramona Borthwick: One of Us

Read "One of Us" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


The wonderful music of One of Us dwells on the interconnection of all things. Pianist Ramona Borthwick and her quartet make this happen on two important levels. First, they play from the same script as if they had studied the pages and came to make each their own in a very special and individual way. Second, there is a seamless connection between each of the songs and the quartet's leader; Borthwick brings her considerable talent in weaving everything together with ...

301
Album Review

Ramona Borthwick: A New Leaf

Read "A New Leaf" reviewed by Budd Kopman


A New Leaf is at turns melodious, swinging, emotional and cool. Like Min Rager's Bright Road, it is brimming with energy and good vibes, and the compositions are first rate. The choice of title tune is always instructive, and the opening “A New Leaf" exposes Ramona Borthwick's many influences. Starting with a simple, Americana-ish figure, it swerves into a bit of what could be Chopin, only to shift immediately into a subtle Latin beat intro that leads ...

164
Album Review

Ramona Borthwick: A New Leaf

Read "A New Leaf" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Ramona Borthwick makes quite an impression with her first international release. She and husband Noel Borthwick were active on the music scene in Mumbai (Bombay) during the '80s, before they moved to Ottawa and then to Boston. Given her training in Western classical music and the clear empathy she has for Indian classical music, it is not surprising that both are present and entwined with jazz on A New Leaf.

Mating genres and making them productive is not an easy ...

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“The wonderful music of 'One of Us' dwells on the interconnection of all things... Ramona Borthwick proves that there is some depth among younger composers. Her bright work is agape at the immensity of all things. It appears that she looks at the world with childlike wonder, but is also privy to the true and deep nature of what she sees.”

~ Raul daGama, Editor, AAJ

“On this new CD (A New Leaf), Ramona Borthwick's first, she displays a wonderful talent for composition and imagination in the various settings she chose for the pieces. Her playing is also creative and energetic. If this is her first installment, we can eagerly keep track of Ramona's coming chapters. Something nice is developing here.”

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

L.T.C.L; L.R.S.M.

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

One of Us

Leitmotif
2010

buy

One of Us

Leitmotif
2009

buy

A New Leaf

Whaling City Sound
2006

buy

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