Join us for an unforgettable service where faith meets swing and every note is a prayer. The October 2025 edition of Jesus and Jazz brings together a stellar lineup of artists whose music uplifts, inspires, and transcends:

John Lee​ bassist and Grammy-winning ​Record ​Producer ​

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 His artistry bridges the sacred and the soulful. With a career spanning over five decades, Lee has played alongside jazz giants like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, and Aretha Franklin—bringing a deep, resonant groove to stages around the world.

As a producer and engineer, he’s shaped more than 160 recordings, earning a Grammy for his sonic excellence and spiritual sensitivity. His work as musical director of the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars and Afro-Latin Experience continues to uplift audiences with music that transcends borders and speaks to the soul.​

John Lee’s basslines have echoed through some of the world’s most iconic venues and festivals, including:The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.)​, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall (New York City)​,​ The Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)​, North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands)​, Blue Note Tokyo (Japan)​, The Barbican Centre (London)​, Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa)​, Havana International Jazz Festival (Cuba)​ and so many more. From sacred sanctuaries to global stages, John Lee’s performances are a testament to music’s power to unite, uplift, and inspire.

For “Jesus and Jazz,” John Lee ​is a PK and brings not only his bass but his belief—that music is ministry, and every note is a prayer. His presence is a testament to the power of rhythm, reverence, and legacy.

Winard Harper – Rhythmic Messenger of Joy and Jazz​ ​

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Winard Harper is a master drummer, bandleader, and jazz ambassador whose rhythms speak of spirit, soul, and swing. Born in Baltimore in 1962, Harper’s musical journey began as a child prodigy, inspired by the legendary sounds of Max Roach and Clifford Brown. By age five, he was sitting in with his brother’s band; by his twenties, he was touring with jazz icons like Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, and Betty Carter.

As co-founder of The Harper Brothers, Winard helped define the sound of jazz in the late ’80s and early ’90s, blending tradition with youthful fire. His own ensembles—including the celebrated sextet and the Jeli Posse—have graced stages from Lincoln Center to Yoshi’s, the Kennedy Center to international festivals, always delivering music that uplifts and electrifies.

Community Builder at Moore’s Lounge For over a decade, Winard has been the heartbeat behind the legendary Sunday jazz jams at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City. These weekly gatherings have become a sacred space for seasoned pros and rising stars alike—a living laboratory of swing, mentorship, and musical communion. Under Harper’s guidance, Moore’s has blossomed into one of New Jersey’s most vital jazz incubators.

Winard’s drumming is more than technique—it’s testimony. For “Jesus and Jazz,” he brings a heartbeat of faith, a pulse of praise, and a groove that glorifies. His presence is a celebration of jazz as a joyful ministry.​ 

Phil Bingham – Pianist, Conductor, Vessel of Sacred Sound​ 

Phil Bingham is a celebrated pianist, conductor, and music education consultant whose artistry bridges gospel, jazz, and classical traditions with grace and power. Known for his soulful touch and spiritual sensitivity, Bingham has spent decades crafting music that uplifts, educates, and inspires.

A longtime contributor to the New Jersey arts scene, Phil has performed at iconic venues including the Count Basie Center for the Arts, where he was honored to play during the dedication of the William and Catherine Basie Arts Plaza on what would have been Basie’s 119th birthday. His presence at such historic moments reflects a career rooted in reverence—for the music, the message, and the community.

Phil Bingham is also a guiding force behind Jesus and Jazz, serving as bandleader and pianist for many editions of the series. His arrangements and performances transform the sanctuary into a space of praise and improvisation, where every chord is a call to worship and every solo a sermon in sound.

Whether mentoring young musicians, conducting choirs, or leading spirit-filled ensembles, Phil Bingham’s legacy is one of devotion, excellence, and joy.

Patricia Walton – Jazz Vocalist with Soul & Spirit

A radiant force in New Jersey’s music scene, Patricia Walton is a powerhouse vocalist whose artistry bridges the sacred and the soulful. As the dynamic frontwoman of the acclaimed M’Pack Band, Patricia blends gospel roots, jazz sophistication, and R&B fire into a sound that’s both timeless and electrifying.

Born in Germany, raised in New York, and now based in New Jersey, Patricia has graced stages across the region — from Clement’s Place in Newark to Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn, where she’s been a featured voice in the celebrated Jesus and Jazz series. Her performances with M’Pack have lit up events curated by Gregory Burrus and Rutgers IJS, including soul-stirring showcases that elevate both spirit and sound

Whether reimagining a classic hymn with a funky twist or delivering a velvet-smooth jazz ballad, Patricia’s voice is magnetic, her message uplifting, and her presence unforgettable.

“When Patricia sings, the spirit moves

Jesus and Jazz: Where Spirit Meets Sound

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