Wild Blue Herons Vancouver Album Release at Frankie's Jazz Club
Wild Blue Herons are once again flying into Frankieβs Jazz Club and this time with a brand new recording - βItβs All About Loveβ! The album releases on February 14th and will be available in CD and Vinyl formats as well as digital.
Come and pick up the album in person and celebrate with them!
βBy the final tracks, I am fully awake, aware that this is one of those recordings that quietly reaffirms why jazz continues to matterβ¦Some albums invite casual enjoyment. Others demand scholarly attention. The rare ones, this among them, manage to bridge both worlds, reminding us that jazz, at its best, is not a museum piece but a living, evolving conversation.β - Thierry de Compensat (Paris Move) (he marked our album is - indispensible - a must)
The husband-and-wife team of Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper - known collectively as Wild Blue Herons - return in 2026 with Itβs All About Love, a soulful, groove-driven set of original music shaped by a lifetime of shared artistry. Blending jazz, funk, gospel and contemporary pop influences, the bandβs third album captures the expansive sound theyβve honed on festival stages and club dates across Canada.
Itβs All About Love is set for release on February 14th, 2026
With Itβs All About Love, Sample and Cooper widen the lens. Adding a full horn section in 2023 sparked a shift toward a more groove-oriented, Crusaders-meets-Steely-Dan aesthetic - deep pocket, joyful energy, and sophisticated arrangements shaped by Sampleβs writing. The album moves fluidly between jazzy swing, funk-driven anthems and soulful ballads, unified by themes of presence, gratitude and keeping love at the centre.
Christmas Tales Jazz Edition Featuring Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper
A Jazzy Christmas Evening with Bill Sample, Darlene Cooper & Friends
Celebrate the season with an unforgettable night of music, stories, and festive cheer! Join us for A Jazzy Christmas Evening, featuring the incomparable Bill Sampleβone of Canadaβs premier jazz pianists, composers, and recording artists. Billβs music captures the timeless charm of Vince Guaraldiβs A Charlie Brown Christmas, with that cozy, soulful sound that instantly brings the holidays to life. Sharing the stage is the wonderful Darlene Cooper, whose smooth, expressive voice blends perfectly with Billβs piano magic to create an atmosphere of warmth and joy.
The evening will also feature Russ and Sandy Rosen, bringing heart and humour through seasonal songs and stories that celebrate the meaning and magic of Christmas. Between sets, enjoy delicious Christmas treats and join in singing your favourite carolsβbecause no holiday gathering is complete without a little community harmony!
Whether youβre a jazz lover, a carol singer, or simply looking to recapture the wonder of the season, this concert promises to be a highlight of your Christmas celebrations. Come share the music, laughter, and spirit of the holidays with us!