Newman's work is an orchestral tribute to his father, composer Alfred Newman, who wrote more than 300 film scores: for films such as All About Eve and Love is a Many-Splendored Thing: over the course of his lifetime.

Newman is also known for his film scores, among them for the films The War of the Roses, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Nutty Professor, and 102 Dalmatians. His score for the animated film Anastasia received an Oscar nomination.

In addition to his famous father, Newman has other composers in the family: his brother Thomas, his cousin Randy, and his uncles Lionel and Emil.