Marcus Mosely and Wild Blue Herons are once again joining forces to bring an afternoon of music to Northwood United Church’s Jazz Vespers in the Valley.

Marcus Mosely and the Wild Blue Herons (Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper) have worked together since 2011 as a team directing the Marcus Mosely Chorale and Ensemble, leading Gospel Style singing workshops and performing together around BC as a trio. Marcus and Bill are both inductees into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Inlet Music Series is thrilled to host Marcus Mosely and Dawn Pemberton in “A Soulful Christmas” concert. Mosely, with his infectious gospel sound, joins forces with Pemberton, often called “Canada’s queen of soul”, for a holiday performance of soulful Christmas classics and inspiring seasonal tunes. Known for their dynamic stage presence, the pair promises a show that will move both your body and soul.

Bill Sample, a member of the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, will lead the All-Star band. He has extensive experience as a musician, composer, arranger and musical director.

The band will be:

Bill Sample (keys/BGs); Miles Hill (bass); Randall Stoll (drums); Steve Hilliam (sax); Tim Porter (guitar); Darlene Cooper (BGs)

Ticket Link: A Soulful Christmas Tickets

Dawn Pemberton is a vibrant, soulful Canadian vocalist and multiple Juno Award nominee whose powerful voice moves effortlessly from gospel and soul to jazz, funk, and world music.

A staple of the Vancouver music scene, she has toured extensively across Canada and Europe, sharing stages with legends like Bettye LaVette and Kurt Elling, and opening for Maceo Parker and St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Dawn’s acclaimed debut album, Say Somethin’, earned her the title of “the new queen of Canadian soul.”

She is also the founder of the Roots ‘N’ Wings Women’s Choir, a sought-after educator, and host of Get on The Good Foot on CKUA Radio. With adventure, groove, and heart, Dawn brings music to life, hitting audiences where it counts and leaving them wanting more.

Marcus Mosely has sung throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the South Pacific and Australia.  From Ralls, Texas, Marcus made Vancouver his home in 1985.  Since then he has starred in the stage productions Ain’t Misbehavin’, Black and Gold Revue (Arts Club), and Show Boat. He also created and directed It’s Time to Sing (Arts Club). In the studio, he has worked with Jim Byrnes, Colin James and appeared in the movie Twist of Faith and in  Holiday Heart as the voice of Ving Rhames. His was the singing voice of Fluttershy in an episode of the series My Little Pony. He is also a member of the award winning Sojourners (2014 Spiritual Album of the Year) who opened for Bobby McFerrin at the 2014 Vancouver Jazz Festival.  In 2011 he founded the Marcus Mosely Chorale (which performed regularly at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, Yule Duel, Festival of Trees in W. Vancouver, Vancouver Art Galley “Out for Lunch” series). In 2016, Marcus was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and in 2017 his CD “Labour of Love” was released.  

During the pandemic year (2020), Marcus did voice over work for Big Bad Boo Studios in which he starred as “Kenny” in their production “ABC’s with Kenny G”. This production won a Leo Award for the musical score and Marcus was nominated for a Leo for best vocal performance in an animated series.

It was also in 2020 that Marcus received the 2020 Legacy Award for outstanding achievement in Music from the National Congress of Black Women Foundation.

In May 2024, Marcus was awarded the BC Achievement Foundation’s Community Award and the Mitchell Award of Distinction, which recognizes those who have demonstrated an “unwavering commitment to elevating people around them” via work or volunteer activities.

Bill Sample is a composer, producer, arranger and pianist.

Bill’s career has spanned four decades and his reputation is unsurpassed. Bill is a ‘first call’ musician,  composer and musical director in Vancouver. As a jazz pianist, Bill opened for Oscar Peterson and Monty Alexander. He performed with Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Robben Ford, Art Pepper, Dee Daniels and Fraser MacPherson. As musical director for David Foster for 9 years, he performed with Celine Dion, Brian Adams, Peter Cetera, and Kenny Loggins, to name a few. He was music director for the Variety Club telethon from 1985 to 1995.

In 2003, Bill was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2008, he played on the Grammy winning soundtrack Ratatouille. In 2010, he received both a Lifetime Achievement Award and Most Influential Jazz Musician from the Royal Canadian Music Project, and his band Sample Stearns Band (from the 70’s) received the Most Influential Group Award. In 2013, Bill was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2014, he was awarded (along with Bob Sarti) an Ovation Award for The Raymur Mothers, a musical.

Bill started the Marcus Mosely Chorale with Marcus in 2011 and served as the musical director until 2022 when the chorale was retired.  He wrote songs and created arrangements for the chorale along with Darlene Cooper.

St Andrew’s Wesley United Church is presenting this 2-day Gospel Style Singing Workshop - Lift Every Voice with Marcus Mosely, Darlene Cooper and Bill Sample. The second day of the workshop will be followed by a mini concert by the participants. (open to the public)

Day 1, Friday, November 7: 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Day 2, Saturday, November 8th : 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Mini concert: 5 pm

Experience the joy of Gospel Choral singing! From its roots of field songs and spirituals to its development into blues, jazz, R&B etc., Gospel music has been used as a herald of social justice and civil rights, for unifying and connecting people and as a powerful platform to let one’s ‘voice’ be heard. It is some of the most inspirational and electrifying music to arise from North America! This workshop will focus on presenting and experiencing Gospel music as an empowering force for overcoming adversity and oppression… and moving to an unbridled expression of joy and personal empowerment.

Learn its roots, evolution and techniques in a workshop setting, and then put that knowledge to practice in performance where friends and family can experience the joy of Gospel through the voices of you and your classmates! Learning Gospel music is fun – singing it with a group can be life-changing.

To register: signup@standrewswesley.com

Cost: $60

Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper will be joining Marcus Mosely at the Nanaimo Blues Festival for the Soul & Gospel Hour. Bill Sample will be on keys and Steve Hilliam will wailing on the tenor sax.

We will be performing an hour of soul/gospel tunes featuring the captivating voice of Marcus Mosely. Come and expect to feel the joy!

This is the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Blues Festival.

We are looking forward to returning with Marcus Mosely to Northwoods United Church for their February 2nd Jazz Vespers! Here is the info from Northwoods:

We are delighted to welcome back, Gospel singer Marcus Mosely. https://www.marcusmoselymusic.com/ Marcus grew up immersed in the music and culture of the Gospel tradition.  He moved to Vancouver in 1985 and became a Canadian citizen in 2008. In 2016, he was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Marcus is joined by the Wild Blue Herons. https://www.wildblueherons.com/  They are a magnetic husband-and-wife duo of Bill Sample (piano/keys) and Darlene Cooper (vocals). They embrace a broad sound from groove oriented jazz with a pop/gospel twist (reminiscent of Joe Sample and Lalah Hathaway) to intimate ballads by the great ladies of jazz.

Please attend, bring a friend, and share within your networks (there is an attached PDF if that is helpful) 

Jazz Vespers in the Valley starts at 3:30pm.

Typically, our services last for an hour, and in Northwood fashion, we offer a time of conversation over home baked goods prior to Vespers. 

The Jazz Vespers service provides a time where jazz meets the Spirit in a time of reflection and prayer. The suggested donation is $10, or pay-what-you can.

Come Feel the Joy on December 8! Tickets are on sale now!

Join Marcus Mosely, along with the Ensemble, for a festive evening which will include some holiday favourites, some songs in the good old Gospel tradition filled with soulful gospel tunes, that Marcus does so well! All brought to life by the incredible talents of Bill Sample (piano), Randall Stoll (drums), Norm Fisher (bass) and Darlene Cooper (vocal conductor)

Date: December 8, 2023

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Highlands United

255 Edgemont Blvd, N. Vancouver

Tickets $35 and are available at www.marcusmoselymusic.com/events

Don't let this festive celebration pass you by. It's the perfect way to ignite your Holiday spirit. Share the joy with your loved ones - we can't wait to see you there!

Marcus Mosely and the Marcus Mosely Ensemble (MME) will be performing a special Christmas Show in Gibsons BC, at High Beam Dreams venue.

Musical Director and pianist, Bill Sample, will be accompanying them and Darlene Cooper will be conducting.

Join us for the this concert!

Bill and Darlene will be joining Marcus Mosely for an Evensong service at St Alban’s Anglican Church in Richmond.

Marcus Mosely Ensemble

Bill and Darlene of Wild Blue Herons are the Musical and Vocal Directors (respectively) of the Marcus Mosely Ensemble. They will be directing this performance along with artistic director and soloist, Marcus Mosely. Bill will be accompanying the Marcus and the Ensemble on piano.

In this uplifting and joyous repertoire, Marcus Mosely and his Ensemble will perform a rousing program of gospel songs celebrating Black History Month.

Marcus, a member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, is well-known for his big voice and emotion-filled delivery. His nine member Ensemble specializes in full gospel sound and has a repertoire spanning gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, rock, folk, and blues. Musical Director, Bill Sample, is also a member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and has accompanied the likes of Leon Bibb, Ray Charles and many others. 

Come and enjoy a soulful afternoon of gospel, blues and inspirational music with the legendary Marcus Mosely and his Ensemble.

Arts Whistler members enjoy 15% off the general admission ticket price all season (starting September 30).

Tickets are available online or at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

Marcus Mosely Ensemble

Bill and Darlene of Wild Blue Herons are the Musical and Vocal Directors (respectively) of the Marcus Mosely Ensemble. They will be directing this performance along with artistic director and soloist, Marcus Mosely. Bill will be accompanying the Marcus and the Ensemble on piano.

In this uplifting and joyous repertoire, Marcus Mosely and his Ensemble will perform a rousing program of gospel songs celebrating Black History Month.

Marcus, a member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, is well-known for his big voice and emotion-filled delivery. His nine member Ensemble specializes in full gospel sound and has a repertoire spanning gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, rock, folk, and blues. Musical Director, Bill Sample, is also a member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and has accompanied the likes of Leon Bibb, Ray Charles and many others. 

Come and enjoy a soulful afternoon of gospel, blues and inspirational music with the legendary Marcus Mosely and his Ensemble.

Arts Whistler members enjoy 15% off the general admission ticket price all season (starting September 30).

Tickets are available online or at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

After ten glorious years of making music together, the Marcus Mosely Chorale will hold their final show on Saturday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Wesley Church (1022 Nelson Avenue, Vancouver)

The show will include the amazing Dee Daniels, one of many artists who have sung with the choir over the years.

Marcus Mosely (Artistic Director), Darlene Cooper (Choral Director) and Bill Sample (Musical Director) have created an inspiring program from the Chorale’s impressive song portfolio. The band will be: Bill Sample (keys), Miles Foxx-Hill (bass); Buff Allen (drums); and Tim Porter (guitar).

There will be a special song with guest soloists from throughout the years.

Tickets are: $42

Black History Month concert featuring Marcus Mosely Chorale and City Soul Choir with special guest Dee Daniels – 7:30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver