David Newton

David Newton is a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, specializing in Jazz Piano. He teaches the BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) program and is renowned for his work as an accompanist, particularly with the Great American Songbook. His career transitioned from theatre to jazz after early collaborations with Martin Taylor and Buddy De Franco.

Newton has released 15 solo albums and contributed to over 80 collaborative works. Notably, his award-winning album with Carol Kidd solidified his reputation. He was honored as a Fellow of Leeds Conservatoire in 2003 and has won 13 British Jazz Awards throughout his career.

His research interests and pedagogical focus center on jazz performance, vocal accompaniment techniques, and the preservation of American Songbook traditions. While no formal grants or labs are mentioned, his extensive discography and teaching reflect a deep engagement with jazz education and practice.