Rutgers IJS Presents Manuela Zapata Arbeláez Quintet
2026-02-17 20:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Clement’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, 07102, United States
Colombian vocalist Manuela Zapata Arbeláez is one of the most compelling young voices emerging on today’s Latin jazz scene.

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Zapata has performed at venues and festivals across Colombia, steadily building a reputation for her expressive phrasing, warm tone, and the cultural authenticity she brings to every performance. Now based in the United States, she is quickly becoming a rising presence in the NJ/NY Latin jazz community, expanding her repertoire across jazz, Latin, and Portuguese traditions.

Joining Manuela on stage are:Winard Harper , Rodrigo Romero, Patrick Stokes, and Billy Edwards. Together, they deliver a vibrant, contemporary sound shaped by Afro‑Latin rhythms, modern jazz harmony, and Manuela’s soulful, story‑driven vocal approach.

The Manuela Zapata Arbeláez Quintet brings to Clements Place a fresh, heartfelt, and culturally rich musical experience — a rising artist honoring her roots while stepping boldly into her own voice.

Rutgers IJS NJPAC Monthly Jazz Jam Session featuring James Austin Jr at Clements Place
2026-02-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Clements Place Jazz IJS – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Building, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, United States
You are invited to come listen and or join in the jam

Join us at our monthly Jazz Jam Sessions, featuring top-flight NJ musicians directed by pianist and bandleader, James Austin, Jr. This series is co-presented by NJPAC’s Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers Institute for Jazz Studies. Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the player’s and listeners’ minds. All novice and seasoned jazz musicians and singers are welcomed to jam and improv with the professional band throughout the night.

Co-Producers: Wayne Winborne, Executive Director, IJS and Eyesha Marable, AVP, Comm Engagement, NJPAC.

Rutgers IJS Presents Steve Johns & The Mythology Band
2026-02-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Clements Place Jazz IJS – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Building, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, United States
Check out drum master Steve Johns and his all-star band Mythology featuring Monte Croft, John Hart, Greg Murphy, and Joris Teepe

Rutgers IJS Presents Steve Johns & The Mythology Band

Date: Feb 20 • 19:30

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For over three decades, drummer Steve Johns has been a major presence on the jazz scene, collaborating with many of the music’s most renowned practitioners. Artists from all points on the musical spectrum have consistently sought him out because they know his musicianship, versatility, deep commitment to his craft, and enthuaism will enrich any performance. Leaders such as Nat Adderley, Stanley Turrentine, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, Jimmy Owens, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Carter, Thomas Chapin and Sonny Fortune appreciated the fact that, no matter what the gig, from the world’s greatest concert stages to the smallest clubs, Steve brings the same total commitment, utmost professionalism, and pure joy at making music. He is also a total musician, who continues to expand his musical horizons by studying piano and trumpet.

Steve Johns was born into a musical family in Boston in 1960, and began playing drums at the age of nine. His mother, Goldie Tyler Johns, was a songwriter, and three of her brothers were saxophonists, including the legendary Jimmy Tyler, who was Steve’s primary influence and inspiration. It was Jimmy who encouraged the youngster to study formally with Alan Dawson, and his three years with the master percussionist and educator enabled him to make rapid progress. While attending Natick High School, Steve played in both the concert and jazz bands and earned chairs in both the district and state jazz ensembles. After graduating in 1979, Steve continued his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music where he received a thorough grounding in classical percussion from Vic Firth and Fred Buda, while playing with such local jazz greats as James Williams, Miroslav Vituous, Jeff Berlin, and Mike Stern.

At NEC he met his wife-to-be, Debbie Keefe Johns, a fine saxophonist in her own right. In 1982, Steve made the move to New York, quickly establishing himself as an inspirational player at home in any musical style. Over the ensuing three decades, Steve has worked in every conceivable setting, from big bands such as the Gil Evans and the Count Basie orchestras, to accompanying singers like Jessye Norman, Helen Merrill, Diane Schuur, and Dakota Staton. Steve played with the late great saxophonist Thomas Chapin and his Trio along with bassist Mario Pavone. He has toured worldwide as the regular drummer for Sonny Fortune, Benny Carter, Dr. Billy Taylor, and many other luminaries. His five-year tenure as a member of Taylor’s trio brought him wide exposure, including 75 performances for the pianist’s NPR program Jazz at the Kennedy Center with such guests as Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Milt Jackson, and Randy Brecker.

Steve has appeared on over seventy albums by Leon Thomas, George Russell, Thomas Chapin, Dr. Billy Taylor, Houston Person, John McNeil, Sonny Fortune, Peter Leitch, Gary Smulyan, and Bob DeVos, among many others. In addition to his work as a sideman, Steve is also a member of the collective group Native Soul, and has been co-leader on recording projects by that group (One Mind, 2012, American Showplace, Soul Step, Talking Drum Records), as well as on an album with saxophonist Peter Brainin (No Saints, No Sinners, Playscape).

In addition to his extensive credits as a player, Steve has long been active as an educator. While with the Billy Taylor Trio, he took part in over a hundred lecture/demonstrations throughout the U.S., and has regularly served on the faculty for educational programs at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Long Island University, Montclair State University, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, the Vermont Jazz Center, and Jazz House Kids. Steve and Debbie co-direct the JCC Thurnauer TeenTown Jazz Program in Tenafly, NJ, which has featured such guests as Larry Coryell, Bernie Williams, and Jimmy Owens.

Steve and Debbie’s musical talents have been passed directly to a new generation. Their son, bassist Daryl Johns, while still a teenager, has already made his mark as one of the most highly touted musicians to burst onto the scene in recent years. A highlight of Steve’s career was the 2015 release of his CD aptly titled Family, on which Steve, Debbie, and Daryl were joined by guitarists Dave Stryker and Bob DeVos.

The consummate team player, Steve Johns has always managed to retain his own singular sound and distinctive musical persona while serving the common purpose of any group he is with. “One thing I love about jazz is having the freedom to express your own style,” he told once told Star Ledger jazz writer Zan Stewart. “I knew from a young age you have to have your own voice.”

You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Jesus and Jazz feat Cyrus Chestnut John Lee Winard Harper & Lynette Sheard Mt Zion AME Church Milburn NJ
2026-02-22 11:30 - 13:30 | Clements Place Jazz IJS – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Building, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, United States
Join us for a radiant morning of Jesus and Jazz, where spirit and song rise together as the incomparable pianist Cyrus Chestnut, Grammy‑winning producer, bassist John Lee, and master drummer Winard Harper fill Mount Zion AME Church with music that stirs the soul and lifts the heart. It will be a gathering of faith, fellowship, and sound — where sound becomes sanctuary and every rhythm opens a new door to praise.

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Space is limited so please let us know if we should expect you by reserving your space via eventbrite RSVP or email at mtzionamemillburn@gmail.com

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Joining us

Cyrus Chestnut

Cyrus Chestnut is one of the most gifted and innovative jazz pianists of his generation, celebrated for a style that seamlessly blends gospel, classical influences, and straight‑ahead jazz. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1963, he grew up in a deeply musical church family, first learning piano at age seven and playing in worship services at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. This early grounding in gospel shaped the soulful, spiritual depth that defines his sound today.

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Chestnut has built a remarkable career as a pianist, composer, and producer, performing internationally and recording for major labels including Atlantic, Warner Bros., and TelarcWikipedia. His playing has been praised for its emotional power and fearless creativity; Time magazine once wrote that Chestnut’s brilliance comes from “a willingness to abandon notes and play space”.

Across decades of acclaimed performances, Cyrus Chestnut has become a defining voice in contemporary jazz—an artist whose music carries the warmth of gospel, the sophistication of jazz tradition, and the expressive freedom of a true improviser.

John Lee

John Lee is an accomplished bassist, Grammy-winning record producer, and audio engineer.

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.

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.

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

Winard Harper is an acclaimed jazz drummer, bandleader, and educator whose dynamic style and deep musicality have made him one of the most respected percussion voices in modern jazz. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, Harper showed prodigious talent early—first discovered tapping rhythms on cans as a toddler and performing with his older brother Danny’s band by age five. winardharperjazz.com. His artistic path was set at age eleven when he heard Clifford Brown and Max Roach’s recording of “Jordu,” a moment that awakened his lifelong devotion to jazz.

Harper’s professional rise began in the early 1980s with major gigs alongside Dexter Gordon and Johnny Griffin. His career accelerated further during four formative years with Betty Carter, whose demanding bandstand sharpened his virtuosity, showmanship, and musical sensitivity. From 1988 to 1993, he co‑led the celebrated group The Harper Brothers with his brother, trumpeter Philip Harper, performing with a powerhouse lineup of rising jazz stars including Javon Jackson, Justin Robinson, Walter Blanding, and Stephen Scott.

As a leader, Harper has recorded multiple albums, led acclaimed ensembles including his sextet and Jeli Posse, and performed at major venues such as Lincoln Center. His playing is known for its explosive creativity, mastery of global percussion traditions, and deep commitment to the swing and bebop lineage.

Lynette Sheard

Lynette Sheard is a remarkably versatile vocalist with a stunning five‑octave range, celebrated for her soulful command of Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Soul, and Pop. She is also an accomplished actor, producer, and director whose performances have been praised in The New York Times, The Record, and The Chronicle. The Star‑Ledger and countless fans often say that her voice “reaches deep into one’s soul and finds a soft spot.”

Sheard serves as a Director with the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, where she uses the arts as a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and community connection. Her commitment to service extends to her work as a founding member of The Guiding Stars, a medical‑missions ensemble of professional performers who uplift veterans, children, and communities in need. Her performances have helped raise thousands of dollars for Hurricane Katrina survivors, Haitian relief efforts, the Red Cross, and numerous local charities.

A dynamic presence on stage, her theater credits include principal roles in Dreamgirls, Smokey Joe’s Café, Ragtime, Swing, Aida, and an encore performance as Lena Younger (Mama) in A Raisin in the Sun. She also serves as the primary vocalist for the Jesus & Jazz series, where her voice brings warmth, spirit, and emotional depth to this celebrated worship‑and‑music experience.

As a board member of Pleasant Valley Productions, she has helped produce a range of successful events at the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC) in West Orange, NJ, further demonstrating her leadership in the arts and her commitment to community enrichment.

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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.

​Jesus and Jazz: Where Spirit Meets Sound

Phil Bingham – Rev. Eyesha Marable – Gregory Burrus

Eyesha Marable – A dynamic cultural curator and spiritual leader, Eyesha brings passion, purpose, and prophetic vision to every gathering. Her work bridges gospel truth with artistic excellence, creating spaces where healing and creativity flourish.

Phil Bingham – Renowned pianist, conductor, and arranger, Phil is the musical heartbeat of Jesus and Jazz. His spirit-led compositions and performances transform every sanctuary into a stage for praise, improvisation, and divine inspiration.

Gregory Burrus – The master connector and curator behind Gregory Burrus Productions, Gregory orchestrates this event with joy, precision, and deep community love. His storytelling and artist advocacy ensure that every voice is honored and every moment resonates.

Together, these leaders have crafted an evening where jazz becomes ministry, and every note is a prayer. Join us for Jesus and Jazz—a celebration of legacy, liberation, and the living Word through music.
