Wild Blue Herons with Horns at Vernon Jazz Club
Featuring the acclaimed husband-and-wife team of Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper, Wild Blue Herons deliver sophisticated, groove-driven jazz and funk with soul, gospel, and pop influences woven throughout. Their sound moves effortlessly from infectious jazz-funk grooves reminiscent of The Crusaders and Steely Dan to intimate, emotionally charged ballads inspired by the great ladies of jazz. The musical connection between Sample and Cooper is at the heart of the band, and forms the foundation of their latest album “It’s All About Love” – a contemporary blend of jazzy swing to funky ballads.
A BC Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Sample has performed with legends including Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Kenny Loggins, and opened for Oscar Peterson. Darlene Cooper is celebrated as an engaging jazz, soul, and gospel vocalist whose collaborators include Eric Bibb, Dee Daniels, and Leon Bibb. One critic praised the duo’s performances as “pure emotion… a full on listening experience that sizzles deceptively.” (Chris Spector – Midwest Record) With appearances at festivals and premier jazz venues across Canada, Wild Blue Herons bring a polished, soulful, and deeply musical live experience to every stage.
Wild Blue Herons at Inlet Theatre in Port Moody
Wild Blue Herons are thrilled to bring the full 8 piece band to Inlet Theatre in Port Moody as part of the Season 5 Inlet Music Series!
Wild Blue Herons are the sophisticated, groove-oriented jazz and funk ensemble fronted by the acclaimed husband-and-wife musical team, Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper. Their sound embraces a broad spectrum, from infectious, groove-oriented jazz/funk with a pop/gospel twist (reminiscent of Joe Sample’s Crusaders and Steely Dan) to powerful, intimate ballads by the great ladies of jazz.
The addition of a 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 Sample’s writing.”
Collectively, this team of musicians has played with everyone from Ray Charles to Celine Dion.
Whether performing as an intimate duo or as a soaring full band—complete with a powerful horn section and a rhythm crew whose members have backed Van Morrison, Tom Cochrane, and k.d. lang—they captivate audiences with their world-class live show.
“Infectiously entertaining, incredibly well played and sang, superbly arranged, It’s All About Love is such a precious record, a ray of sun for the rainy days and a postcard to everyone's soul. Bravi, Wild Blue Herons.” (Giovanni Pilati, Bluebird Reviews, UK)
“Pure emotion… a full on listening experience that sizzles deceptively” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record)
Wild Blue Herons at Frankie's Jazz Club
We are bringing the groovin’ 6 piece band (with BG guest - Jane Mortifee) back to Frankie’s Jazz Club! We’ve got some new funky jazz and soulful tunes to add to the mix! Stay tuned!
Band: Bill Sample (keys/vocals), Darlene Cooper (lead vocals), Miles Foxx Hill (bass), Randall Stoll (drums), Steve Hilliam (sax), Brian Harding (trombone).
Wild Blue Herons are a dynamic jazz and funk ensemble, fronted by the husband- and-wife team of Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper. Their sound embraces a “groove-centered approach reminiscent of The Crusaders, early fusion-era Blue Note recordings and the polished sophistication of Steely Dan” (Thierry de Clemensat , Paris Move, FR).
Their 3rd album (released February 2026) got rave reviews.
“Infectiously entertaining, incredibly well played and sang, superbly arranged, It’s All About Love is such a precious record, a ray of sun for the rainy days and a postcard to everyone's soul. Bravi, Wild Blue Herons.” (Giovanni Pilato, Bluebird Reviews, UK)
Come enjoy the Frankie’s vibe of delicious food, great music - experience an evening to remember!
Wild Blue Herons Duo at Silk Purse - Jazz Waves
Bill and Darlene will be performing a special morning concert at Silk Purse for their Jazz Waves series. They will perform a number of their soul/jazz infused originals plus some of their arrangements of select standards. Come and join them in this intimate and scenic space for an hour of inspired music to start your day.
Every summer the WVCAC proudly presents Jazz Waves! This community favourite festival features amazing performances from the finest local talent - everything from R&B, swing, free jazz, gospel, Dixieland & more!
Tickets: $25 WVCAC Members $28 Non-Members $15 Deck
Tickets can be purchased in advance. Limited tickets available at the door.
Register at: westvanartscouncil@shaw.ca
Wild Blue Herons Quartet Concert at St Oswald's
Wild Blue Herons Quartet are looking forward to playing a concert at the intimate and historic St Oswald’s Anglican church in Port Kells, BC. Husband and wife team of Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper will be joined by Miles Foxx Hill (bass) and Jerry Cook (sax) .
More info to come!
Wild Blue Herons Quartet at Lions Den House concerts
Wild Blue Herons are looking forward to being a part of the wonderful intimate concert series at Lions Den. Our band for this evening will be Bill Sample (keys /vocals; Darlene Cooper (vocals); Miles Foxx Hill (bass); Steve Hilliam (sax). We will be playing some music from our new CD plus standards from our You & I album and more.
AND the ticket includes wine tasting! See info below from the hosts:
“Join us in our cozy living room for unforgettable concerts featuring world-class talent — including Juno and Grammy award nominees and winners. Each 75-minute performance is an intimate, immersive experience that brings you closer to the music and the artists. After the final note, linger a while — enjoy delicious food and drinks, meet the performers, and connect with fellow music lovers in a welcoming community atmosphere. Our home is easy to find, with convenient parking and no stairs for effortless access.
Once you’ve purchased your tickets, simply send us a quick introduction by email, and we’ll share our address and all event details. We’re happy to answer any questions — just reach out.”
Gergana Velinova - Artistic Director and Robert Levak - Executive Director
Wild Blue Herons Vancouver Album Release at Frankie's Jazz Club
Wild Blue Herons are once again flying into Frankie’s Jazz Club and this time with a brand new recording - “It’s All About Love”! 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!
“By the final tracks, I am fully awake, aware that this is one of those recordings that quietly reaffirms why jazz continues to matter…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.” - 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 It’s 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 band’s third album captures the expansive sound they’ve honed on festival stages and club dates across Canada.
It’s All About Love is set for release on February 14th, 2026
With It’s 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 Sample’s 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.
Jazz Vespers in the Valley - Wild Blue Herons and Marcus Mosely
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.
