By SHUCHITA RAO | India New England | Issue Date: Jan 15, 2006

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Ramona Borthwick is very happy with the way 2005 worked out for her. The Mumbai-born pianist recently released her debut CD in Boston entitled “A New Leaf,” featuring original compositions rooted in the jazz tradition.

Despite the grounding in jazz, the compositions reflect influences that stem from places including India, Latin America and the United States. Borthwick was raised in a rich musical environment playing Western classical music before she developed a taste for jazz. Her father, Enoch Daniels, was born in a musical family and worked for the film industry in Mumbai, as an accordion player, composer and arranger of film music. Continue reading →

By JACK WILKINS, November 10, 2005

Here’s a fantastic recording by pianist/singer Ramona Borthwick. All her own compositions except “Two’s Complement” which was co-written by guitarist Noel Borthwick and Noel’s own “Dark Secrets of Three Blind Mice”.

All the tunes are rich, lush, and highly emotional. The musicians play beautifully together and Ramona has a feel somewhat compared to Herbie Hancock and a little Keith Jarret but her playing is very much her own. Noel’s playing is also extraordinary with a great time feel and a warm engaging sound. The vocal tracks are interesting as Esperanza Spalding (tracks 2 & 9) has a unique attack and her scatting technique is very entertaining. The recording sound itself is excellent. Bravo!