What defines Vancouver’s own Bonnie Northgraves? Quite simply, she is an absolute force of nature. An outstanding trumpeter, vocalist, and pianist, her very essence feels electric. Having performed on Juno Award-winning albums and toured across Europe, Asia, and North America, she is now bringing her irresistible, vintage-soaked vocals to an atmospheric Candlelight concert dedicated to women in jazz.
19 June 2026 18:00
For one day in June, the stage will transform into a sea of flickering light as Bonnie and her stellar ensemble pay tribute to the timeless legacies of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and the trailblazing women of jazz. Her vocals are smoky, rich, and deeply explorative, reminiscent of the great matriarchs themselves. Surrounded by thousands of candles, this performance is the perfect warm-up to the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, which kicks off on the same day, or a chill alternative if you value a nice, comfortable seat.
Bonnie steps forward as an absolute force of nature. Her vocals are smoky, rich, and deeply explorative, reminiscent of the great matriarchs themselves, combined with Dean Thiessen on piano, Wynston Minckler on upright bass and Seth Kitamura on drums. It’s the perfect warm-up to Vancouver International Jazz Festival, which kicks off on the same day, or a chill alternative if you value a nice, comfortable seat.
The Historic Theatre at The Cultch and the ensemble
This dazzling tribute takes place at the Historic Theatre at The Cultch, where Bonnie will perform alongside a premier jazz trio on piano, upright bass, and drums. Right in the heart of the vibrant Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, The Cultch is celebrated as one of the most resilient, inclusive, and adaptive cultural hubs in Canada, actively shaping our local arts scene for over 50 years. Known for prioritizing joy, decolonization, and groundbreaking community integration, stepping into this heritage space feels like entering an intimate cultural sanctuary where you can actually see the passion emanating from the instruments.
It is a beautiful juxtaposition: historic, century-defining jazz hits performed by a modern Vancouver powerhouse, all bathed in the warm, gentle glow of a candlelit theater. Make sure to grab your tickets to Candlelight: Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Women of Jazz ft. Bonnie Northgraves for the perfect blend of live music and atmosphere.
