Wild Blue Herons
Wild Blue Herons with Horns are fronted by the husband-and-wife musical team of Bill Sample (BC Entertainment Hall of Fame), and Darlene Cooper. They embrace a broad sound from groove oriented jazz and funk with a pop/gospel twist (reminiscent of Joe Sample and Lalah Hathaway) to intimate ballads by the great ladies of jazz.
Bill Sample was the musical director and keyboard player for the legendary David Foster. He has played with Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Kenny Loggins to name just a few, plus he opened for Oscar Peterson and Monty Alexander. Darlene has built a reputation as an engaging jazz/soul/gospel singer, educator, choral conductor and composer/arranger. She has worked with Eric Bibb, Dee Daniels, Marcus Mosely, Shari Ulrich, Jane Mortifee and Leon Bibb.
Wild Blue Herons perform as a duo or as a full band complete with horns and have played in numerous festivals (the Filberg Festival, Ft. Langley Jazz and Arts Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival) as well as various Jazz Clubs (Frankies Jazz Club – Vancouver; Hermann’s Jazz Club – Victoria, Jazz Bistro – Toronto, Vernon Jazz club, to name a few).
The full band is as follows: Bill Sample (keys/vocals); Darlene Cooper (vocals/percussion); Miles Foxx Hill (bass); Randall Stoll (drums); Tom Keenlyside (saxes and flute); Jim Hopson (trombone);Tim Porter (guitar); Jane Mortifee (background vocals).
The other members of this band have played with Van Morrison, Tom Cochrane, Colin James, k.d. lang and more.
The Wild Blue Herons are working on a new recording of their original funky jazz tunes with full band hoping to release it in Fall 2025.
“Pure emotion… a full on listening experience that sizzles deceptively”
Chris Spector, Midwest Record
“The interplay the two perform and demonstrate is so pronouncedly sensual, beautiful and intimate.”
Ivan Rod, Danish Music Critic
“The overall level of the duo’s performances is simply top-notch, resulting in a terrific vocal jazz recording”
Ron Weinstock, Jazz and Blues Report Jan/Feb 2022
Upcoming Shows
Wild Blue Herons Quartet at St Andrew’s United Church
Sunday, Apr 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
