About the Band
“Incredible musicianship from every one on stage and unique but very musical and thoughtful arrangements on every song!”
“The overall level of the duo’s performances is simply top-notch, resulting in a terrific vocal jazz recording”
Wild Blue Herons (WBH) are the sophisticated, groove-oriented jazz and funk ensemble fronted by the acclaimed husband-and-wife musical team, Bill Sample (piano/keys) and Darlene Cooper (vocals). 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.
Keyboardist and vocalist Bill Sample, an inductee into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, brings legendary experience, having served as the musical director and keyboard player for David Foster and performed alongside icons like Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Kenny Loggins, and even opened for Oscar Peterson. Darlene Cooper is renowned as an engaging jazz, soul, and gospel singer, educator, and composer, having collaborated with artists such as Eric Bibb, Dee Daniels, and Leon Bibb.
“The interplay the two perform and demonstrate is so pronouncedly sensual, beautiful and intimate.” (Ivan Rod, Danish Music Critic)
Whether performing as an intimate duo or as a full band complete with horns and featuring top session players who have worked with Van Morrison, Tom Cochrane, Colin James and k.d. lang, Wild Blue Herons deliver a world-class live show. They have graced stages at numerous major events, including the Vancouver Folk Festival, the Ft. Langley Jazz and Arts Festival, and renowned venues like Vancouver’s Frankies Jazz Club and Toronto’s Jazz Bistro.
“Pure emotion… a full on listening experience that sizzles deceptively” (Chris Spector, Midwest Record)
Anticipation is building for their brand new album of original funky jazz tunes, "It's All About Love," set for release in February 2026. The album will be available in Vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
Music Samples
Darlene Cooper
“Darlene’s distinctive, beautiful vocals combine powerfully with the songs and arrangements to stir our hearts and set our feet to dancing. ”
“...rich, stunning vocals, where every note is delivered flawlessly”
“Darlene delivers a passionate and moving vocal performance”
Darlene Cooper is a singer, composer, arranger, conductor, and music educator.
For Darlene, music is about connection. She uses her soulful and sultry voice to take her listener on an emotional journey through the song. She especially loves singing Soul, Jazz, Gospel, R&B/funk covers as well as her original songs. Her passion for harmonizing and collaborating has led her to work with artists such as Eric Bibb and Leon Bibb, Shari Ulrich, Jane Mortifee, Ann Mortifee, Dee Daniels, plus other Vancouver artists. Darlene toured the Okanagan and Kootenays for 4 summers (2014-2017) with the Darlene Ketchum Quartet. Darlene and her co-writer/arranger husband Bill Sample, released their first recording, “On the Outside” in 2017 as the Wild Blue Herons (WBH). In November 2021, they released their 2nd album, “You & I”, an intimate recording of standards inspired by the great ladies of jazz. In 2026, WBH are releasing their groove-oriented 3rd album “It’s All About Love” with a full band complete with a horn section.
Darlene was the choral director of the Marcus Mosely Chorale alongside Marcus Mosely and Bill Sample and wrote and arranged music for the chorale from 2013 - 2022. As a composer, the vocal freedom of jazz, combined with the rich chords and funky laid-back groove inspire her songs. Three of her songs have been nominated for awards and she released her first solo album “Soul Connections” in 2014.
In addition, Darlene is a music educator who has designed and directed music programs as well as developed curriculum for college level music students (specializing in teaching Contemporary/Jazz music theory, Jazz Vocal workshops, Art of Performance, Song Writing, Charting and Arranging). She has been a jazz adjudicator at the Con Brio and Surrey Jazz Festivals. Darlene loves to encourage and mentor younger musicians.
She leads Gospel-style singing workshops alongside Marcus Mosely and Bill Sample teaching the traditions/history, the heart/soul, and the vocal techniques in singing this inspiring music.
As a fervent promoter of live music, she and Bill produce a music series at the Inlet Theatre in Port Moody, BC – The Inlet Music Series – bringing world class music to the Tri-cities.
Whatever she does, her passion is to impact others with the power of music and song. Musical success is connecting to heart and soul.
Visit Darlene online at www.darlenecooper.com
Bill Sample
Bill Sample is a composer, producer, arranger and pianist.
Bill’s career has spanned four decades and his reputation is unsurpassed. As a ‘first call’ musician, arranger, and composer in Vancouver, he is known for his versatility and ability to create the right sound and feel for any project. His passion for the music is always evident. As a jazz pianist, Bill opened for Oscar Peterson and Monty Alexander. He has 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, Bryan 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 for 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 Best Original Music for The Raymur Mothers.
In 2015, Bill released an album of original instrumental jazz compositions for his trio entitled, Small. In 2017, he and co-writer Darlene Cooper, released their album On the Outside under the name of their band Wild Blue Herons. In December of 2020, he released a solo piano Christmas album entitled We Three Kings.
Bill has a degree in Music Composition from the University of Victoria and studied piano and arranging at Berklee College, Boston. As an educator at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo, he had a young piano student by the name of Diana Krall.
Visit Bill online at www.billsamplemusic.com
