Blues & Blessings Mt. Zion AME Church invites you to a powerful Sunday gathering of music, ministry, and community uplift as we present Blues & Blessings — a soulful blend of inspirational voices and heartfelt performance.

This month’s program features:

• Rev. Eyesha Marable — delivering an uplifting message to strengthen and encourage our spirits
• Jacqueline Harmon Johnson — sharing insight, inspiration, and community‑centered leadership supported by Tom Placido, Massaki Saito & Carlos Frias — bringing musical excellence that enriches the worship experience and fills the sanctuary with sound and celebration.

Jacqueline Harmon Johnson Jacqueline Harmon Johnson is a beloved vocalist, cultural curator, and community arts leader whose work has shaped the musical landscape of Essex County for more than a decade. Known for her warm stage presence, expressive storytelling, and deep commitment to community uplift, Jacqueline has become one of the region’s most recognizable artistic voices.

Across Essex County, she has performed at churches, festivals, restaurants, civic celebrations, and cultural gatherings — building a reputation for bringing people together through music, fellowship, and joy. Her work is rooted in accessibility: creating spaces where neighbors, families, and audiences of all ages can experience live music in welcoming, spirit‑filled environments.

In Montclair, Jacqueline is best known as the creator and host of Jacque Johnson’s Sidewalk Swing, a vibrant summertime residency appearing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Leone’s on South Park Street. Now entering its fourth year, Sidewalk Swing has become a seasonal institution — a lively outdoor vocal room featuring rotating musicians, community regulars, and the unmistakable Montclair vibes that draw crowds all summer long. Her leadership has helped transform the space into a hub of local culture, attracting diners, families, and music lovers from across the region.

Her performances have been featured in Juneteenth Montclair, township celebrations, restaurant residencies, church programs, and numerous Essex County cultural events. Whether singing outdoors on Park Street, uplifting worshippers inside Mt. Zion, or collaborating with musicians across the county, Jacqueline’s artistry continues to enrich the community and inspire audiences year after year.

📅 2nd Sunday — July 12 ⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Mt. Zion AME Church, 56 Church St., Millburn, NJ

Join us for a morning of fellowship, faith, and music that moves the heart. All are welcome as we celebrate community, connection, and the blessings that carry us forward.

Sacred Arts Leadership

Blues & Blessings and Jesus & Jazz are guided by a powerful artistic and spiritual leadership team that continues to shape Mt. Zion’s sacred‑arts identity across New Jersey. Under the worship‑centered vision of Rev. Eyesha Marable, these programs blend praise, community uplift, and culturally rooted performance. Gregory Burrus, producer and curator, expands the musical reach of both series through his statewide festival work and artist development, bringing top‑tier talent into Mt. Zion’s worship‑arts environment. Pianist and arranger Phil Bingham adds a deep musical foundation, shaping the sound of Jesus & Jazz with his signature blend of gospel, jazz, and improvisational excellence. Together, Rev. Marable, Burrus, and Bingham anchor these programs as a unified ministry of music, culture, and spiritual connection — elevating every artist who steps onto the Blues & Blessings and Jesus & Jazz stages.