About the Featured Musicians:
Darlene Cooper (formerly Ketchum) started singing solos in church at the age of three and later found her musical passion in the soul, gospel, funk, and jazz music of the 1970’s. The vocal freedom of soul, combined with the rich chords and funky laid-back groove, continues to inspire her songs today. For Darlene, music is about connection, and she uses her soulful and sultry voice to take her listener on an emotional journey through the song. In addition to being an experienced singer, Darlene is a songwriter, arranger, choral and musical director, keyboard accompanist and educator.
Website: https://www.darlenecoopermusic.com/
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 and composer in Vancouver. Bill opened for Oscar Peterson and Monty Alexander, 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, Brian Adams, Peter Cetera, and Kenny Loggins. 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 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.
In 2015, Bill released an album of original instrumental jazz compositions for trio titled, Small. In 2017, he and co-writer, Darlene Cooper released their album On the Outside under the name of Wild Blue Herons. In December of 2020, he released a solo piano Christmas album entitled We Three Kings. Wild Blue Herons produced their 2nd album in 2021 as a duo – an intimate recording of standards called You & I. In Fall 2025 Wild Blue Herons (with horns) will be releasing their 3rd album.
Tim Porter is a highly respected musician who has been performing in the field for over 25 years. Tim has performed regularly with a diverse array of performers including Brickhouse, The Canadian Tenors, Long John Baldry, The Powder Blues Band, John Lee Sanders, Jim Byrnes, Diane Lines and many others. He is well versed in all styles of music including jazz, blues, pop, rock and country and is a seasoned session player with countless recording credits to his name.
