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Jesus and Jazz w Rev Dr Alfonso Wyatt and Phillip Bingham John Lee Winard Harper and Lynette Sheard
August 25, 2024 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm EDT
Join us for an inspirational morning of Jesus and Jazz w Special Guest Rev Dr Alfonso Wyatt and Jazz led by Bandleader Phillip Pianist Bingham. Grammy Winning Producer John Lee, Drummer Winard Harper and Vocalist Lynette Sheard at Mount Zion AME Church! Mental Health message will be delivered by Laverne Williams.
Get ready to be uplifted by the inspirational messages and powerful jazz music in a live Mt Zion AME Church service. This is a unique opportunity to experience the fusion of faith and jazz in a spiritually enriching environment. Don’t miss out on this enjoyable Jesus and Jazz Performance.
Jesus and Jazz
Join us on the 4th Sunday of every month for an inspiring Jesus and Jazz Session led by Pastor Eyesha Marable.
Join the MZAME family, Rev. Eyesha Marable, and Gregory Burrus for Jesus & Jazz on Aug 25 2024 at 11:30 am for great music, melodies, meditative moments, and messages. We are located at 56 Church Street, Millburn, NJ 07041, and we are looking forward to seeing you there.
Space is limited so please let us know if we should expect you by reserving your space via email at mtzionamemillburn@gmail.com
Refreshments will be available immediately following the service by Pangea Caterers.
Event Free Open to All Please register and Let us know you are coming to join us.
This is a unique opportunity to experience the fusion of faith and jazz in a spiritually enriching environment. Don’t miss out on this enjoyable Jesus and Jazz Performance.
This Sunday Led by Pastor Eyesha Marable of Mt Zion AME Church.
Eyesha K. Marable is trained dancer, ordained Itinerate Elder, Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Church, Millburn, NJ and Coordinator of Dance for the 1st Episcopal District.
Eyesha K. Marable is trained dancer, ordained Itinerate Elder, Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Church, Millburn, NJ and Coordinator of Dance for the 1st Episcopal District, under the leadership of Bishop Gregory Ingram. Rev. Eye earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Spanish, a Master of Science Degree in Non-Profit Management, a Post-Graduate Certification in Organizational Development and a Master of Divinity. Through her 14 years of service at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York under the leadership of Rev. Drs. Floyd H. and Elaine M. Flake as associate minister, asst. dance director for Allen Liturgical Dance Ministry and co-chair for the bi-annual worship conference, Rev. Eyesha founded the National Liturgical Dance Network (NLDN). This dance preacher gathers, trains, supports and unites with churches and worshippers, worldwide. She is the Director of Community Engagement for NJPAC and is blessed to worship in dance with her husband, Edward B. Marable, Jr, son, Judah and Honor.
Special Guest
Rev Dr Alfonso Wyatt
Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt is a remarkable individual who has made significant contributions in various fields. Here are some key points about him:
- He retired as the vice president of the Fund for the City of New York after serving for over two decades.
- Dr. Wyatt is the founder of Strategic Destiny, an organization that focuses on designing futures through faith and facts.
- His mentoring efforts have impacted thousands of people, including young individuals in foster care, those in juvenile detention facilities, adults in prison, and mentees pursuing their Ph.D.
- Dr. Wyatt provides advisory and consulting services to government agencies, colleges, civic groups, community-based organizations, public and charter schools, education intermediaries, foundations, and the broader faith community.
- As an author, he has written seven books, including Madd Truth: Lasting Lessons for Students of Life, which is aimed at young people.
- His educational background includes studies at Howard University, Columbia Teachers College, The Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, Columbia Business School Institute for Nonprofit Management, and New York Theological Seminary.
- Currently, he serves on the board of The Osborne Association.
Jazz Project
John Lee – Bassist
John Lee is an accomplished American bassist, Grammy-winning record producer, and audio engineer. Let me share some details about his life and career:
- Early Life and Education:
- John Gregory Lee was born on June 28, 1952, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. His parents were Rev. John W. Lee, an African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) minister, and Harriet Holland Lee, a career social worker.
- He grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, Amityville, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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- John began learning the string bass in 1962 under the guidance of Carolyn Lush.
- He attended Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School and later studied at the Philadelphia Musical Academy (now the University of the Arts) from 1970 to 1972.
- During this time, he also performed with musicians like Carlos Garnett and Joe Henderson.
- In August 1972, John and drummer Gerry Brown relocated to Europe, where they toured and recorded with various bands.
- Career Highlights:
After moving to New York City in 1974, John Lee collaborated with artists such as Joe Henderson, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Norman Connors.
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- He joined Larry Coryell’s band, The Eleventh House, in December 1974.
- In 1975, Lee and Gerry Brown signed a recording contract with Blue Note Records and formed their own working band.
- Lee began producing records in 1977.
- From 1982 to 1984, he worked with jazz pianist McCoy Tyner.
- In July 1984, John Lee became Dizzy Gillespie’s bassist, touring and recording with Dizzy’s Quintet, Big Band, and the Grammy-winning “United Nation Orchestra.”
- Lee has performed in concert halls and jazz clubs across more than 100 countries worldwide.
- He has also played with notable artists like Sonny Rollins, James Moody, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Heath, Pharoah Sanders, and many others.
- Lee was a founding member of “The Fantasy Band” (1993-1996) alongside Chuck Loeb, Marion Meadows, and Dave Samuels.
- Since 1996, he has been the director and bassist of the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, and the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience.
John Lee’s contributions to jazz music and his extensive work as a bassist, producer, and recording engineer have left a lasting impact on the music industry. 🎵🎶
Winard Harper – Drummer
Winard Harper is an American jazz drummer known for his remarkable contributions to the world of music. Let me share some interesting details about his career:
- In the 1980s, Harper played alongside legendary artists such as Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, and Betty Carter, with whom he collaborated with for four years.
- His musical journey led him to meet trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, resulting in fruitful collaborations.
- Harper and his brother, trumpeter Philip Harper, formed the group The Harper Brothers from 1988 to 1993. The ensemble featured talented musicians like Justin Robinson, Javon Jackson, and Kiyoshi Kitagawa.
- As a leader, Winard Harper has recorded several albums, including Be Yourself, Trap Dancer, and A Time for the Soul.
- He has also worked with other notable artists, such as Ray Bryant, Etta Jones, and Houston Person.
- Harper’s drumming style blends American jazz with African rhythms, creating a unique and captivating sound.
- Whether leading his own groups or contributing as a sideman, Winard Harper continues to make a significant impact on the jazz scene.
Phillip Bigham Pianist – Keyboardist / Composer – Arranger
Phillip Bigham is a pianist known for his contributions to the world of jazz and gospel music. He has been featured in various performances and events, including the Jesus and Jazz series. In one such event, he performed alongside Grammy-winning producer John Lee, renowned drummer Winard Harper, and professional Lynette Sheard at Mount Zion AME Church in Millburn, New Jersey. The fusion of faith and jazz in this spiritually enriching environment creates a unique experience for the audience. If you’re interested, you can attend these inspiring sessions on the 4th Sunday of every month hosted by Pastor Eyesha Marable and Gregory Burrus
Lynette Sheard – Vocalist
Lynette Sheard – Vocalist. “We are kicking off this series with a gifted performer on the local live music scene who always comes out and jams all around town,” said Burrus. “Lynette is well respected on the scene and has performed with numerous performers around our towns. Lynette Sheard is a gifted versatile vocalist with a five octave range. She is an actor, producer and director. Her performances have been acknowledged in numerous publications including the New York Times, The Record and the Chronicle. The Star Ledger and many of her fans proclaims that ‘Her voice reaches deep into one’s soul and finds a soft spot.’ She performs Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Soul and Pop music throughout the tri-state area and beyond.”
Theater credits include principal roles in: Dream Girls, Smokey Joes Café, Ragtime, Swing, Aida, and an encore performance as Lena Younger Mama in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. She has received countless awards and recognition for her musical service work with children, the elderly and veterans. She is a founding member of the Guiding Stars, a Medical Missions group of professional performers who volunteer to entertain veterans and children. Her performances have raised thousands for Hurricane Katrina Survivors, Haitian Relief efforts, The Red Cross and numerous other local charities. Recently, as a board member for Pleasant Valley Productions. she has helped produced a number of successful events at Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC) in West Orange, NJ.
Laverne S. Williams, CSW, Director of PEWS and Member of the MHANJ’s Community Education Team
Summary of her key accomplishments includes:
- Leading pioneering work for faith-based communities and the public at large, to help break the stigma of mental illness so that people will seek the help they need for mental health challenges.
- Spearheading and serving as pioneering founder of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality (PEWS) Program in 2005 and serving as Program Director since its inception.
- Becoming a Certified Social Worker (CSW) and using her training and spiritual beliefs to combine behavioral health with theology.
- Reaching thousands of clergy members and helping to change the perception of mental illness in a broad array of spiritual communities.
- Educating thousands of individuals on mental health awareness topics, with a special emphasis on seniors, people who tend to hoard, and those experiencing grief.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a new internet-based weekly show, Thankful Tuesdays, which provided resources for many, and an invaluable outlet to interact and discuss challenges at a critical time of racial and spiritual strife.
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Event Free Open to All Please register and Let us know you are coming to join us..
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Jesus and Jazz Sessions are held monthly on the 4th Sunday of the Month and are curated by Gregory Burrus Productions.
Please join us.
Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. He combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music, making it his mission to keep the music alive by booking bands for private and public events1. Gregory spends his time as a photojournalist, live music producer, videographer, arts and entertainment writer, blogger, business reviewer, and community events reporter. He develops, manages, promotes, and documents live music programs in the Greater New Jersey and New York Area2. His work includes organizing outdoor live music events, such as Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies, NJPAC Community Engagement, NJPAC Jazz Advisory Team, Mt Zion AME Jazz and Jesus, Jazzy Nights Live Music performances, Live Music entertainment for Orange’s Farmers Market, Downtown Cranford Summer and Autumn Live Music Series, Downtown South Orange, 24 Hours of Music Jamboree Festival, South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam, etc. Gregory Burrus also books bands for various local and private venues, contributing to the vibrant music scene in the Northern NJ area.
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