'Hejira’ is a 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 (Metheny, Mays, Brecker, Pastorius and Alias). The tour was recorded, producing the outstanding live recording, ‘Shadows And Light’; it is from this period that the band Hejira is drawing the 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 ‘great’ songs from Mitchell’s back catalogue, such as ‘Amelia', ‘Woodstock’, 'In France They Kiss On Main Street’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Black Crow’, ‘A Case of You’ ‘Free Man In Paris’ etc..

The full personnel is:

Hattie Whitehead ~ vocals; guitars

Pete Oxley ~ guitars

Ollie Weston ~ saxophones; bass clarinet

Chris Eldred ~ keyboards

Dave Jones ~ bass

Rick Finlay ~ drums

Marc Cecil ~ percussion

Audience comments

“Almost brought to tears so incredible!”

“As a lifelong worshiper of the greatest songwriter that has ever lived, Joni Mitchell, I can honestly
say this is the best rendition next to the Goddess herself, I have ever heard… excellent, excellent,
excellent!”

“This is how you celebrate another artist’s creation. Reverent, beautiful, masterful and respectful.”

Press quotes

“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. The recording is of optimal quality for a live album too” ~ Jazzwise, August 2024

“Whitehead is one of the greatest singers I have ever heard” ~ Jazzwise, March 2024

“Honestly, one of the most perfect voices I’ve heard in ages…this lady’s voice is stunning” ~ Adam Dowling, BBC Radio Kent, April 2024