Amina Figarova and Platteau (flutist) together with Faith Tutu Collins and Mallay Blessing Mulbah

Amina Figarova and Platteau (flutist) together with Faith Tutu Collins and Mallay Blessing Mulbah, representing the Liberian voices from the Matsiko World Orphan Choir.

A Morning Where Music Becomes Ministry

June 14 11:30AM Mt Zion AME Millburn NJ

Blues & Blessings is not a concert — it’s a gathering of hearts. It’s jazz meeting gospel. It’s Afrobeat meeting soul. It’s culture meeting calling.

Matsiko World Orphan Choir — Blues & Blessings

Matsiko World Orphan Choir brings a powerful spirit of hope, joy, and global connection that aligns beautifully with the heart of Blues & Blessings. Formed through Matsiko Children International, the choir features children from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, sharing their stories through vibrant harmonies, cultural songs, and uplifting movement.

Their performances weave together faith, resilience, and testimony — echoing the same themes of healing, artistry, and community uplift that define Blues & Blessings at Mt. Zion AME Church. Each song is a reminder that every child carries a voice worth hearing and a future worth investing in.

The choir has toured internationally, inspiring audiences in churches, schools, and major venues across the United States. Their presence at Blues & Blessings highlights our commitment to celebrating global artistry, honoring diverse cultural expressions, and creating space where music becomes a bridge between communities.

“Among the most important composers to come into jazz in the new millennium” – JazzTime

Amina Figarova

Hailing from Azerbaijan, the New York-based Amina Figarova is an internationally influenced—and recognized—composer, pianist, and bandleader. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and as a child studied to be a classical concert pianist. Graduated from the Baku Conservatory as classical concert pianist. In 1990, she entered Rotterdam Conservatory (where she met Bart Platteau, a fellow student from Belgium) to pursue jazz, coming to the United States in 1992 to complete her formal education at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. In 1998 she was invited to the Thelonious Monk Institute’s summer jazz colony in Aspen, and after more than a decade of bookings in major U.S. jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals, the couple gained legal immigrant status in 2013, and became US citizen in 2020. They currently live in Harlem, NY and tour constantly.

Bart Platteau

Belgian‑born flutist Bart Platteau is an internationally acclaimed voice in modern jazz, known for his warm tone, vivid improvisational style, and decades of global performance. Raised in Brussels, he trained at the Brussels Conservatory, earning First Prize in Classical Percussion, Chamber Music, and Solfeggio, and later completed a Master’s in Jazz Flute Performance at the Rotterdam Conservatory.

Platteau’s career spans classical and jazz worlds, including work with the Orchestre National de Belgique and the Brussels National Opera Orchestra, before shifting fully into jazz studies with mentors such as John Ruocco, Nathan Davis, and Joe Lovano. He later continued studies at Berklee College of Music with George Garzone and Matt Marvuglio.

Since moving to New York in 2010, Platteau has been best known for his work with the Amina Figarova Sextet/Septet, touring internationally and recording widely. A longtime educator, he previously served as principal jazz flute teacher at the Rotterdam Conservatory for over a decade.

A Word from Rev. Eyesha Marable

No Blues & Blessings story is complete without the voice of Rev. Eyesha Marable — a visionary in sacred arts and a champion for young artists.

Her invitation sets the tone for the entire morning:

“Beloved, join us for a morning that will bless your spirit and help lift these young artists higher. Your presence and spirit make a real difference.”

This is the heartbeat of the event. Not just listening — but lifting. Not just attending — but participating in someone’s journey.

Thank You for Joining Us - Rev. Eyesha Marable.

Why This Moment Matters

In a world where talent often goes unseen and opportunity is unevenly distributed, stories like Faith and Mallay’s remind us of what’s possible when community steps in.

Amina and Bart opened the door. Now we get to help keep it open.

Your presence on July 14 matters. Your support helps these young women continue their artistic, educational, and spiritual journey.

This is what Blues & Blessings is all about — music that moves, stories that inspire, and a community that shows up.

Join Us

Be part of this powerful morning service of music, culture, and heart. Come ready to listen. Come ready to celebrate. Come ready to give.

Thank You For Being Part of the Journey

Leadership & Creative Vision

The Blues & Blessings series is guided by a powerful trio of leaders whose shared commitment to sacred arts, musical excellence, and community uplift has shaped the program into one of New Jersey’s most inspiring cultural offerings.

Rev. Eyesha Marable — Vision & Sacred Arts Leadership

Rev. Eyesha Marable serves as the spiritual and creative architect of Blues & Blessings. A pastor, sacred‑arts curator, and community builder, she brings a deep belief that music is a divine pathway to healing, connection, and cultural expression. Her leadership ensures that every gathering is more than a performance — it is a moment of ministry, reflection, and joy.
Learn more: Rev. Eyesha Marable

Philip Bingham — Musical Direction & Worship Arts Excellence

As Mt. Zion AME Church’s longtime Music Director, Philip Bingham shapes the sonic landscape of Blues & Blessings with masterful arrangements and a deep understanding of sacred, gospel, and jazz traditions. His ability to elevate both guest artists and the church’s own musicians has made him a cornerstone of the series’ sound and spirit.
Learn more: Philip Bingham

Gregory Burrus Productions — Artistic Curation & Community Engagement

Gregory Burrus Productions brings world‑class artistry and community‑centered programming to the Blues & Blessings series. Led by curator and producer Gregory Burrus, the organization connects global talent with local audiences, creating cultural experiences that are both artistically rich and deeply rooted in community. Burrus’ partnerships, vision, and commitment to emerging artists help the series thrive as a platform for storytelling, cultural exchange, and musical excellence.
Explore more: Gregory Burrus Productions

Together, They Create Something Special

Rev. Marable provides the spiritual vision. Philip Bingham shapes the musical foundation. Gregory Burrus Productions brings the artists and the community together.

Their collaboration is what makes Blues & Blessings a space where music becomes ministry, where artists are nurtured, and where the community gathers to be uplifted, inspired, and renewed.