Growing up in Bombay, a bustling port city on the west coast of India, pianist-composer Ramona Borthwick was exposed to music at an early age through her father, a professional musician and composer. She began piano lessons at age six, and pursued private studies in classical music, earning performance degrees through the Trinity College and Royals Schools of Music, London, UK. During this time she also taught music in schools, led choral ensembles and did studio
sessions.In the early 1990's she gained a passion for jazz improvisation and composition and began performing with local jazz ensembles. Later she collaborated with husband Noel Borthwick on their debut recording 'Sound Matters'. The recording, one of the first indigenous recording of mainstream/contemporary jazz in India, was critically acclaimed and featured some of her compositions.
Ramona's music conveys a lyrical depth, infectious energy and an intuitive flow, free of clichés. While rooted in the jazz tradition, her well-crafted, lyrical and richly textured compositions reflect influences that range from ECM jazz, Latin music and even a hint of spice from her native India. Her latest release 'A New Leaf', (2006, Whaling City Sound) features her as a leader showcasing her compositions. Reviewed favorably by critics and an international press, it received extensive radio airplay in North America.
JazzImprov Magazine says of 'A New Leaf': "a musical journey of such extreme depth", while JazzReview commented "Borthwick displays an amazing talent for composition... her fellow musicians bring the music to a level that is rarely shown on a debut release". Billboard Magazine wrote: "Ramona Borthwick has made a major statement with this superb initial release."
Ramona currently resides in Boston, MA, where she continues to write and perform. Awaiting release is a new CD featuring original compositions that were recorded earlier this summer with Ingrid Jensen (tpt), Noel Borthwick (gtr), Johannes Weidenmueller (b) and Adam Cruz (dr). She is also actively involved in field of music education, conducting workshops and private lessons at her music studio. Also a talented graphic artist and web designer, her company Leitmotif specializes in design & web development.