Lady Gaga's Jazz Bandleader Brian Newman to Headline at Xavier University, 1/24

Critically acclaimed jazz trumpeter and vocalist Brian Newman will headline a concert with his Brian Newman Quintet as part of the Xavier University Music Series in Cincinnati on Sunday, January 24.

Best known as Lady Gaga's jazz bandleader, Newman collaborated with the pop superstar and legendary singer Tony Bennett on their 2014 Grammy-winning album "Cheek to Cheek," which featured arraignments by Newman and his band. The single "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" debuted at number one on Billboard.

In addition to his work with Lady Gaga, Newman is a rising star in his own right, regularly performing to packed houses at some of New York's leading jazz venues. He plans to release his own debut album in 2016, produced by "Cheek to Cheek" producer Dae Bennett.

Now based in New York, Newman graduated from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He credits that city's jazz community as a major influence on his career.

"I am excited to be coming back to perform for the Xavier Music Series because I feel so connected to Cincinnati," Newman said. "Guys like John Von Ohlen, Steve Schmidt and Ed Moss, who I still look up to, taught me so much. There were also great musicians I met at school that were super helpful, like Alex Smith and Andrew Neff. I wanted to be a real New York City jazz player. The Cinci scene had a huge impact on making that happen."

While in Cincinnati, Newman will also teach a master class for students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) as part of the Mayerson Artistic Excellence Program, which is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Newman and his band have appeared on notable television broadcasts including PBS's "Great Performances," NBC's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," "The Tonight Show," "Today," "Saturday Night Live," "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" and more.

"What fascinates me about Brian is how he performs classic songs but makes them sound fresh and new," said Polina Bespalko, director of the Xavier University Music Series." "He encompasses both jazz and swing, and he breaks down generational walls. His music appeals to audiences of all ages. I think he could be the next Sinatra."

Opening for the Brian Newman Quintet will be award-winning pianist/composer Dan Karlsberg & The 'Nati 6, whose album "The 'Nati 6" is currently nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award (CEA) for Album of the Year.

The Xavier University Music Series will present the Brian Newman Quintet featuring Dan Karlsberg & The 'Nati 6 in the Gallagher Theater at Xavier University on Sunday, January 24, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets range in price from $3 to $28 and can be ordered by calling 513-745-3162 or 513-745-3939 or by visiting www.xavier.edu/musicseries.

Information about Brian Newman is available at www.BrianNewman.com. Information about Dan Karlsberg is available at www.DanKarlsberg.com.

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