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Jason Newman
I am a pianist, composer and private teacher.
About Me
Jason Newman is a pianist and composer based in the Philadelphia
area,
Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with an
emphasis
in Classical Composition and Jazz Studies from Lebanon Valley College
in the
spring of 2000. He received his Master’s Degree in Music Theory and
Composition
from West Chester University in the spring of 2016. Jason has been
performing
and booking shows throughout Philadelphia, Main Line, Lancaster and
Harrisburg
areas for his jazz trio, duo, solo & other ensembles for over the last ten
plus
years. With the current release of his debut trio album “Entwined”,
Jason continues to expand his reach musically through performance,
composition and recording opportunities.
In addition to performing and developing his piano playing, Jason
works by day in
his private home studio as a composer of classical chamber & piano
music. His
“Adagio for String Quartet” was premiered & recorded by Curtis
University’s
“Astral Artists” String Quartet, at West Chester University, April 2014.
His
“motion-prelude” for solo piano was premiered by West Chester
University pianist
and professor, Dr. Carl Cranmer at the university in the spring of 2010.
In 2008,
his “sonata for piano” (commissioned work) was premiered by
acclaimed
Philadelphia classical pianist, Matthew Bengtson. In the fall of 2003, his
“preludes
for piano” (opus 1), were premiered by classical pianist Gary Gress, at
the
“concert for new music” series in Philadelphia, PA. He also maintains a
full roster
of private students, teaching piano repertoire, improvisation and
composition
throughout the greater Chester County and Philadelphia areas.
From 2004-2006, Jason worked as a keyboardist and co-composer with
the
original, modern rock band, Vista, based in Philadelphia, PA. The band
performed
throughout the northeast at a variety of venues, clubs & universities
most notably
in Philadelphia and in New York City. Vista released their debut album
entitled
‘Waterful’ in 2006. Band members included Philadelphia singer-
songwriter &
guitarist, Andrew Lipke, brother & lead guitarist, Phil Newman, bassist,
Mike
Wittrien & drummer, Chris Loser.
Along with many great collaborations with players and composers,
Jason has
studied and mentored with David Bennett Thomas, Ron Thomas,
Thomas
Strohman, Dr. Scott Eggert, Dr. Dennis Sweigert, Andy Roberts, Jim
Ridl, Phil
Markowitz, Dr. Mark Rimple, Dr. Van Stiefel, Dr. Rob Maggio and with
NYC internationally acclaimed jazz pianist & composer, Kevin Hays.
My Jazz Story
I love jazz because it allows me to express myself musically in the most personal of ways. I was first exposed to jazz through my parents record collection as a young boy. The first jazz record I bought was either Miles Davis Quartet 64 concert: "My Funny Valentine/Four & More" or Keith Jarrett's "My Song". Both changed my life forever. My advice to new listeners...be as open and patient as possible. “I always thought that music had no boundaries, no limits to where it could grow and go, no restrictions on its creativity. Good music is good music no matter what kind of music it is. And I always hated categories. Always. Never thought it had any place in music.” —Miles Davis (1926-1991) “This quote by the legendary trumpeter, composer and band leader, Miles Davis sums up nicely what it is that I am striving for in my music. Jazz is what you make of it…being as open as possible to any music of the past, present or future. While at the same time, attempting to remain true and honest to yourself, and always staying in the moment.”