Home » Jazz Musicians » Farnell Newton

Farnell Newton

Farnell Newton was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to Philadelphia in 1992, where he attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. While in Philadelphia, Newton also studied with his uncles, saxophonist/arranger Conny Murray and Sunny Murray, one of the early avant garde's most inventive and influential drummers.

Newton graduated from the Denver School of the Arts after moving to Denver in 1994 and then moved to Ohio to study at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. At Oberlin, Newton studied music performance with an emphasis in jazz and was mentored by Wendell Logan and trumpeter Kenny Davis. Newton performed with Aretha Franklin, James Moody, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Hugh Ragin while at Oberlin.

After graduating from Oberlin, Newton moved to Portland, Oregon, where he performed regularly with drummer Mel Brown, percussionist Bobby Torres, Akbar Depriest, and many others. He earned a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies and Performance from Portland State University in 2008.

After completing his graduate work, Newton toured extensively with three time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Jill Scott and with the Legendary Rhinestone Rockstar Bassist “Bootsy” Collins.

When he is not spending time with his family, leading his funk band (The Othership Connection), or hosting his own jazz radio show at KMHD 89.1fm, he is touring & recording. Over the years Farnell has performed with Jarrod Lawson, Stevie Wonder, Skerik, Lettuce, Slightly Stoopid, Karl Denson, Galactic, Nigel Hall, Mike Phillips, and the Portland Cello Project. Newton also created a jazz social media group called Jam of the Week in 2013 which now features over 70,000 members worldwide.

Gear

Denis Wick Mouthpieces & Mutes Cannonball Trumpets AKG Microphone


Tags

5
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...

4
Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...

5
Album Review

Various Artists: Tales Of Wonder: A Jazz Celebration Of Stevie

Read "Tales Of Wonder: A Jazz Celebration Of Stevie" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


There aren't many songwriters who have reached a level of success comparable to Stevie Wonder. He is one of the most important figures in American music, and to celebrate his 70th birthday, Posi-Tone records is releasing Tales of Wonder: A Jazz Celebration of Stevie. This compilation, performed by some of the label's excellent roster of musicians, offers a fitting tribute to this legendary artist. Rather than simply offering something of a greatest hits compilation, Tales of Wonder digs into Wonder's ...

368
Take Five With...

Take Five With Farnell Newton

Read "Take Five With Farnell Newton" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Farnell Newton: Farnell Newton composer/trumpeter was born on March 21, 1977 in Miami, Florida where he was exposed to many forms of music from jazz, salsa, funk and hip-hop.Instrument(s): trumpet.Teachers and/or influences? My trumpet professors at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Marcus Belgrave, Kenny Davis and Bill Lucas. Dennis Reynolds from the Cleveland Heritage Jazz Orchestra. Thara Memory of Portland, Oregon.I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I first picked up my ...

Read more articles
167

Recording

Farnell Newton's "Class is Now in Session" on House of Love Records Now Available

Farnell Newton's "Class is Now in Session" on House of Love Records Now Available

Source: Michael Ricci

Trumpeter Farnell Newton is one of the most versatile musicians and educators in the Northwest, playing straight ahead jazz, smooth jazz, Latin music, soul, and hip hop. When he is not teaching at Portland State University's Jazz Department or working with his youth jazz group, PDX Jazz Project, he is touring, recording, and performing with sax man Mike Phillips (who has performed with Stevie Wonder and Prince, among others), the DooDooFunk All- Stars, & the BET/CENTRIC Soul Train Award All-Star ...

259

Radio

B.J. Jansen Interviewed Farnell Newton on the Jazz Life

B.J. Jansen Interviewed Farnell Newton on the Jazz Life

Source: JM Creative

B.J. Jansen interviewed trumpeter, Farnell Newton on The Jazz Life. Jansen created his show, “The Jazz Life," to bring audiences to the next generation of jazz artists who struggle to receive airplay in the United States. The programming format of “The Jazz Life" features brand new content from artists who actively perform and would appeal to younger listeners.


87

Event

Trumpeter Farnell Newton In Concert At University Of Portland

Trumpeter Farnell Newton In Concert At University Of Portland

Source: All About Jazz

Trumpeter Farnell Newtonin Concert at University of Portland Portland, Ore.

Depriest Family Jazz, a local nonprofit focused on bringing jazz to audiences of allages in family venues, is proud to present the young and gifted trumpeter and composer Farnell Newton in concert. Newton will perform, along with a Portland-based rhythm section, on Saturday, October 21 at 7 p.m. in the University of Portland Buckley Center Auditorium.

Newton will play a mix of bebop and avant-garde jazz as well as music ...

114

Interview

Makin' It Happen - Farnell Newton

Makin' It Happen - Farnell Newton

Source: One Working Musician by Jason Parker

The first time I saw Farnell Newton I had no idea who he was, but he made a big impression on me. I was in Portland for the night and dropped by Jimmy Maks to catch the Mel Brown Sextet. The band was cookin right along and I was enjoying the show greatly. Then a trumpet player appeared on the side of the stage and sat in for a tune, playing some really great lines and building a fantastic solo. ...

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Portland

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

$50.00 = 1 hr Weekly

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Feel The Love

Posi-Tone Records
2021

buy

Tales Of Wonder: A...

Posi-Tone Records
2020

buy

Rippin' & Runnin'

Posi-Tone Records
2020

buy

Back To Earth

Posi-Tone Records
2017

buy

Ready To Roll

Ropeadope
2015

buy

Class Is Now In...

Casa de Amor Recordings
2011

buy

Groove Easy

From: Class Is Now In Session
By Farnell Newton

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.