Jazz Articles about Ramona Borthwick

like 266

Ramona Borthwick: One of Us

by Ian Patterson
February 3, 2010

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. ...

like 190

Ramona Borthwick: One of Us

by Raul d'Gama Rose
January 17, 2010

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 ...

like 301

Ramona Borthwick: A New Leaf

by Budd Kopman
March 10, 2006

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 ...

like 164

Ramona Borthwick: A New Leaf

by Jerry D'Souza
February 8, 2006

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 ...