Fri 5th March 2027 | 7.30pm | Hejira ~ celebrating Joni Mitchell
“The UK’s best and most convincing take on Joni Mitchell” ~ The Guardian
‘Hejira’ celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late ‘70s.
Mitchell recorded a number of albums from the mid- to late- ’70s – The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Hejira, Mingus… – and then toured briefly with some of the most prominent jazz musicians of the era (Metheny, Mays, Brecker, Pastorius, Alias). The tour was recorded, producing the much-lauded live album Shadows and Light – and it is from this exquisite album that Jana and co draw most of their repertoire.
Expect an evening of some of the greatest songs from Mitchell’s back catalogue – Amelia, Woodstock, A Case Of You and Free Man in Paris – performed by an exceptional band who manage to inhabit the music with both feeling and prowess.
Fronted by the extraordinarily talented Jana Varga, who not only sings masterfully with Joni’s pitch-accuracy, poise, and dignity, but she also plays guitar much with the mannerisms of Mitchell (incorporating various open tunings – which lend an instant authenticity to the colour of the songs). She performs at the Blake Theatre amid a busy schedule touring with platinum selling artist, Rumer as well as creating her own music and performing on world stages, much like her upcoming solo performance at The Albert Hall this summer.
“They are a formidably tight unit, imparting a practised smoothness to the performances. The recording is of optimal quality for a live album too” ~ Jazzwise, August 2024
World-renowned musicologist and critic, Ted Gioia recently included Hejira in his list, ‘My Favourite Videos on YouTube’
Musician and drummer extraordinaire (of Yes, King Crimson, Genesis etc.) Bill Bruford, wrote of the band:
“If you’re looking for a great evening with the music of Joni Mitchell, Hejira is a top-drawer band… Run, don’t walk, for tickets.”
UK’s No. 1 guitar supremo, John Etheridge (of Soft Machine, Stephane Grappelli, Andy Summers etc.) wrote:
“I was mesmerized by this interpretation of the great music of the legendary Joni Mitchell with the illustrious band led by Pete Oxley”
Tickets £22 + Booking fees
