‘Hejira’ is an outstanding 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late ‘70s. Having released the albums ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’, Joni then toured briefly with a band formed from the crème de la crème of contemporaneous musicians (Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Michael Brecker, Jaco Pastorius and Don Alias). The tour was recorded, producing the much-lauded live album, ‘Shadows And Light’; it is from this work that the band Hejira is drawing the spirit and body of its repertoire. Comprising highly experienced, world class musicians, Hejira is fronted by the 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. Expect an evening of the truly ‘great’ songs from Mitchell’s back catalogue!
Hattie Whitehead ~ vocals & guitar
Ollie Weston ~ tenor & soprano saxophones
Chris Eldred ~ keyboards
Pete Oxley ~ guitar
Dave Jones ~ bass
Rick Finlay ~ drums
Marc Cecil ~ percussion
“Hattie Whitehead’s voice is spine-shiveringly like Mitchell’s, and just as full of delicacy, emotion and intelligence.... They are a formidably tight unit, imparting a practised smoothness to the performances.” ~Jazzwise, August 2024
“Honestly, one of the most perfect voices I’ve heard in ages…this lady’s voice is stunning” ~ Adam Dowling, BBC Radio Kent, 4th April 2024
“This is how you celebrate another artist’s creation. Reverent, beautiful, masterful and respectful.” ~ audience comment