Wade Newbern
Wade Newbern is a singer/instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. Starting with organ, then adding guitar, oboe, sax, and flute to the mix, piano has always been the main force behind Wade's music.
Wade played oboe with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and toured the Mid-West with pop/rock, and country bands playing keyboards with vocals. After earning a BM from Berklee School of Music in jazz composition and arranging, he has toured regionally and internationally playing keyboards for Chinese pop bands, playing gospel piano in Harlem churches, and playing piano for improv comedy teams and theatrical/industrial productions.
His arranging and music directing include productions for Off-Broadway, Chinese Theatre Works, and industrial theatre events, along with his own jazz trio, and a Peking Opera pit band. For Chinese Theater Workshop, Wade has composed music for “Climbing Gold Mountain” (western and eastern notation) and arranged and recorded music for “Little Red”, both performed at Henry Street Settlement Playhouse. His electronic music has been commissioned for a number of video projects.
As an instructor and accompanist, Wade brings a wide range of experience, flexibility, and knowledge to each session. His abilities can support the complete beginner, or compliment the more experienced musician. Along with accompanying all Song Performance sessions, Wade is very supportive to singers in performance from rehearsal to showtime, including those “last minute” opportunities. His teaching ranges from keyboard classes at the Special Population Cultural Program at Riverbank to private sessions on piano and woodwinds.
Wade played oboe with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and toured the Mid-West with pop/rock, and country bands playing keyboards with vocals. After earning a BM from Berklee School of Music in jazz composition and arranging, he has toured regionally and internationally playing keyboards for Chinese pop bands, playing gospel piano in Harlem churches, and playing piano for improv comedy teams and theatrical/industrial productions.
His arranging and music directing include productions for Off-Broadway, Chinese Theatre Works, and industrial theatre events, along with his own jazz trio, and a Peking Opera pit band. For Chinese Theater Workshop, Wade has composed music for “Climbing Gold Mountain” (western and eastern notation) and arranged and recorded music for “Little Red”, both performed at Henry Street Settlement Playhouse. His electronic music has been commissioned for a number of video projects.
As an instructor and accompanist, Wade brings a wide range of experience, flexibility, and knowledge to each session. His abilities can support the complete beginner, or compliment the more experienced musician. Along with accompanying all Song Performance sessions, Wade is very supportive to singers in performance from rehearsal to showtime, including those “last minute” opportunities. His teaching ranges from keyboard classes at the Special Population Cultural Program at Riverbank to private sessions on piano and woodwinds.