Joni Mitchell's 80th Birthday Celebration ~ performance by Hejira

Tuesday 7th November 2023

Hejira is a 7-piece band that was initially set up for a one-off performance as a ‘Christmas Special’ at The Spin, 9 months ago. That gig had such a response that this thrown-together line up quickly became a ‘project' and is about to embark on an extensive UK tour this autumn (see www.hejira.co.uk), including dates at the EFG London Jazz Festival and then - next year - Ronnie Scott’s. 

So far, all of their gigs have been sell-outs, so it is a coup to have booked the band to perform a special concert on Joni Mitchell’s 80th birthday!

In terms of ‘singer-songwriters’, Joni Mitchell has, arguably, held an unassailable position at the top of this art form for decades: right from the beginning, her melodies, harmonies, singing and story-telling were in a league of their own (for example, listen to ‘Marcie’ from Joni’s first album). This incredible talent then carried her through many styles, up to her more recent masterpieces with full orchestral arrangements by the great Vince Mendoza.

For many people, Joni’s music from her so-called ‘jazz period’ - at the end of the 70s - was her most mature and accomplished songwriting; it is from this period that, in the main, Hejira is drawing their repertoire (although they do also dip into some beauties from ‘Blue’, too!). Expect such major works as ‘Amelia’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Coyote’, ‘Woodstock’, ’Song For Sharon’ ‘A Case of You’ etc..

Comprising highly experienced jazz musicians, this band is fronted by the totally brilliant Hattie Whitehead who not only has - in her own way -  assimilated the poise, power and beauty of Joni’s vocals, but also plays guitar with Joni’s stylistic mannerisms. 

(Watch and hear the band perform ‘Hejira’ here):