LAURA CREMA, SHARON MINEMOTO & BILL COON: East Van Gogos Benefit for the Stephen Lewis Foundation
SUNDAY, 9 NOVEMber 2025 | DOORS AT 13:30, MUSIC FROM 14:00
THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT
This is a chance to hear three of Vancouver’s most acclaimed jazz artists: Laura Crema (vocals), Sharon Minemoto (piano), and Bill Coon (guitar). Together, they will present an intimate afternoon of music in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which has provided decades of essential services to the African grandmothers in 14 sub-Saharan countries who have been holding their families and communities together in the aftermath of the AIDS and COVID epidemics. This great concert is produced by the East Van Gogos (from the Zulu word for “grandmother”) who have long participated in this grandmothers-to-grandmothers support network.
African multi-instrumentalist, story-teller, and singer Kurai Mubaiwa will open the afternoon with a short set.
Come Make Change, Big and Small
The “Small Change” is the cash that you bring toparticipate in the East Van Gogos’ full-to-the brim raffle basket, filled with East Van goodies and treats! Tickets $5 each or 5 for $20!
The “Big Change” that the East Van Gogos, along with many other Grandmothers groups across Canada are helping to bring about is the partnership with older women in 14 subSaharan African countries who have held their communities together through the AIDS and COVID pandemics. Come and help raise both the roof and crucial funds for the grandmothers and the grassroots organizations that help them to anchor their communities.
About Laura
“All great jazz singers have at least three qualities in common. The first is that unique timbre that sets their voice apart. The second is the material they choose to sing. And the third is the fresh ideas and insights they bring to those songs. Laura Crema has all three in spades.”
~CBC Radio
About Sharon
Pianist and composer, Sharon Minemoto has performed to audiences around the world. In 1997, Sharon started her own quintet which performs her original compositions and has recorded four shows for CBC Radio as well as a CD released on Cellar Live Records entitled, “Side A”.
In addition to composing, she puts her arranging talents to work on standards and pop tunes for her trio on their debut CD called “You Can See The Ocean From Here”. Both albums spent considerable time in the Top 10 Jazz Albums on Canada’s Chartattack.
Sharon’s groups have been featured at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Vernon Jazz Club, The Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society, The Powell Street Festival, The Hornby Island Arts Festival, Festival Vancouver, The Beatniq Jazz Club in Calgary, The Yardbird Suite Jazz Club
in Edmonton, the Jazz On The Wing series in Whitehorse, YT and at Club JZ in China.
Over the past few years, Sharon has created a dynamic jazz series at La Fabrique St. George in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, showcasing many established and emerging artists.
About Bill
Guitarist, Composer, Arranger
Juno nominated artist Bill Coon is one of Canada’s most highly respected musicians and is winner of the 2009 National Jazz Awards, ‘Guitarist of the Year’. Performing professionally for over thirty years, he has played with many significant jazz artists including Jimmy Heath, Chuck Israels, Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Bucky Pizzarelli, Sheila Jordan, Hugh Fraser, P.J. Perry, Campbell Ryga, Ian McDougall, Phil Dwyer, Dave Restivo, Brad Turner, Carol Welsman, Fred Stride, Dee Daniels, and Rebecca Kilgore.
Ticketing: $35 per person in advance. Reserve tickets by emailing: eastvangogos@gmail.com