Sounds like you want my former or current guitars!
I haven't owned a Newport but I am a SP player and played in the Jazz Ensemble in school, so if that qualifies, I'd say SP + Jazz gig = OK. In fact, SP + any gig = Victory (nyuk nyuk).
Cons:
The look doesn't appeal to all
Pros:
Everything else
It's just about my perfect guitar. Where I able to afford another one, I already have the "look" picked out, and the only structural change I'd have done is blended heal ala PesoPro: