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Ramona Borthwick: piano www.ramonaborthwick.com Originally from Bombay, India, Ramona Borthwick studied classical music earning a Licentiate in Piano Performance from The Trinity College of Music, London; and The Royal Schools of Music, London. Shortly thereafter, she moved on to explore jazz piano and vocal stylings. For more, read the bio. |
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Fernando Huergo : bass www.fernandohuergo.com Fernando Huergo was born in Cordoba, Argentina. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music (he also studied with Charlie Banacos, Jerry Bergonzi, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood and George Rusell among others) he is currently a Faculty Member in the Bass Department. His performances include those with musicians like Tom Harrell, Dave Liebman, Billy Pierce, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Kikoski, Rick Margitza, Kenny Werner, Danilo Perez, David Sanchez, Don Braden, Claudio Roditi, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Giovanni Hidalgo, Horacio Hernandez, Richie Flores, Paulo Braga, Romero Lubambo and Portinho. He has recorded over 70 albums, including 7 as leader. |
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Esperanza Spalding : bass, voice www.esperanzaspalding.com Esperanza Spalding, bassist, singer and composer, began playing in small jazz and blues venues around her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Since moving to the East Coast, she regularly works as a freelance bassist, and singer locally and internationally. Spalding has worked with such notable artists as Michel Camilo, Dave Samuels, Mark Walker, Byron Stripling, Regina Carter, The Boston Pops Orchestra, Pat Matheny, Bill Stewart, Teri-Lynn Carrington, Adam Rogers, Seamus Blake, Patti Austin, and performed solo singing and playing as the opening act for Bill Cosby. She is currently touring with Joe Lovano along with drummer Francisco Mela, and will be performing with her trio at major jazz festivals this summer. She is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Boston Jazz Society scholarship for outstanding musicianship. Spalding holds a B.M. from Berklee College of Music where she currently teaches. Esperanza recently became a new artist for the management company Montuno. |
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Francisco Mela : drums, percussion www.franciscomela.com Francisco Mela was born in Bayamo Gramma, Cuba; studying "Classic" and "Afro cuban" popular music in percussion instruments. He later taught as a percussion teacher in Rafael's Cabrera Conservatory of Music in Bayamo, Cuba at the same enrolling in the National School of Arts for Teachers el "CENCEA" (Centro Nacional de superacion de la ensenanza artistica) where he got a degree in Music and Percussion. While in Cuba, he played with several contemporary Latin Jazz players. In 1997, he created his own band "MelaSon Latin Jazz Band" which had a unique sound and it was invited to play all around Cancun. After a meeting with Danilo Perez in 1998, Mela moved to Boston and became the house drummer at Wally's Cafe Jazz, and by the end of 2001 was the drummer of "Jane Bunnett and Spirits of Habana", a group that toured the US, Canada and Europe, giving workshops and clinics in different universities. Withthis group, he recorded the Grammy nominated album "Cuban Odyssey". He currently teaches at Berklee College of Music, 2002 and has been performing with great musicians like Chucho Valdez, Joe Lovano, George Garzone, John Patitucci, John Scofield, David Sanchez, Jane Bunnett, John Benitez, Steve Coleman, Gregory Tardy, Davi Samuels, Horacio "el negro" Hernandez, Giovani Hidalgo, Leonel Loueke, Kenny Barron and others. |
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Noel Borthwick: guitar www.noelborthwick.com Born in Bombay, India, Noel Borthwick grew up up listening to the music of progressive rock and jazz fusion groups. In his late teens, he developed a strong interest in bebop, modal and mainstream jazz styles, and was inspired by guitarists such as Pat Martino, Joe Pass, Jack Wilkins and the music of John Coltrane. The 1991 release 'Sound Matters', featured his quartet playing standards and originals. Noel is CTO of Boston-based Cakewalk (dba Twelve Tone Systems), producer of world renowned digital recording and sequencing software. |
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Phil Grenadier : trumpet www.philgrenadier.com Phil Grenadier originally hails from San Francisco, CA, where he grew up with his two musician siblings, bassist Larry and guitarist Steve. Moving to New York in 1988, Phil sought to expand his musical horizons by working with master jazz musicians to the then up-and-coming masters and those in between, including Bob Belden, Chris Potter, Freddie Hubbard, Richie Beirach, Terumasa Hino, Mulgrew Miller, Billy Hart. Phil has appeared on multiple recordings as a sideman and has released two CD's as a leader. |
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Rick DiMuzio : sax www.rickdimuzio.com Rick DiMuzio, jazz saxophonist and composer has performed in many of the city’s venues, and has made radio appearances on both WERS and WGBH. He has also traveled throughout the United States and Italy and has performed with such artists as Steve Grossman, David Liebman, Ellery Eskelin, Bill Perkins, Bill Pierce, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Hagans, Clay Jenkins, Conrad Herwig, Danilo Perez, James Williams, Louie Bellson, Bob Moses, Terri Lyne Carrington, Roger Humphries, Jamey Haddad, and John Hollenbeck. Rick serves as associate professor at Berklee College of Music and teaches privately. Rick earned his doctorate in jazz composition from New England Conservatory, an M.A. in jazz performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a B.S. in music education from Indiana University of PA. |
