Trumpeter/singer
Brian Newman is an exuberant performer known for his swinging take on jazz standards. Initially emerging in the 2000s as a sideman with
Lady Gaga,
Newman has established himself as a modern-day crooner, showcasing his warm vocals and bop-influenced trumpet chops with regular gigs at the Oak Room at New York's Plaza Hotel and at the Gramercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar. In 2018, he made his
Verve label debut with
Showboat, which featured a guest appearance by
Gaga.
Born in 1981 in the Cleveland suburb of Mentor, Ohio,
Newman became interested in music at a young age and started playing the trumpet in school at age nine. By age 12, he already had his sights set on a career in jazz. Following his time at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School, he enrolled at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, but left after several years to pursue his music career in New York City. Working as a bartender at the Lower East Side rock club St. Jerome's,
Newman hustled for his own gigs at clubs like Smalls, Fatcat, and Cleo's. He also played wedding gigs, hip-hop recording sessions, and worked burlesque shows (where he eventually met his wife, burlesque performer Angie Pontani). It was also while bartending at St. Jerome's that he met rising singer and dancer Stefani Germanotta (aka
Lady Gaga). The two bonded over their love of jazz and standards, striking up a lasting friendship. Although
Gaga's career took off, the two remained close, and
Newman has joined the pop star for various live performances including appearances on The Today Show, the MTV Video Music Awards, and her 2011 ABC special A Very Gaga Thanksgiving. In turn,
Newman has often made
Gaga a featured guest at his residency at the Plaza Hotel's Oak Room, where he recorded his 2012 debut album Live from New York City.
In 2014, he joined
Gaga and singer
Tony Bennett, performing and arranging on their studio album
Cheek to Cheek. He also contributed to
Gaga's 2016 album
Joanne, and co-produced the track "La Vie en Rose," off the 2018
A Star Is Born soundtrack. In 2016,
Newman issued his debut studio album,
Eyes on the City, which featured production by
Bennett's son (President and CEO of the Verve Label Group)
Dae Bennett.
Newman then signed to
Verve, and in 2018 released this third solo album,
Showboat. Named after his beloved 1971 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, the album featured a mix of original and standards, including a guest spot from
Gaga on
the Animals' "Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood." It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. The following year, he launched his stage show Brian Newman: AFTER DARK at Las Vegas' NoMad hotel and restaurant. ~ Matt Collar