It started - as these things often do - as a very simple idea.

A one-off gig celebrating the magic of Joni Mitchell on her 80th birthday. Partly by design—bandleader Pete Oxley carefully chose musicians who shared a love of Joni Mitchell´s music, and partly by magic, the spark was lit, and the band took off.

A highly successful tour of the UK last year, and a couple of nights in Ireland followed that first gig. Word spread; many shows sold out.

Each of Hejira’s seven members is accomplished and talented in their own right. Just as Joni Mitchell chose top-drawer musicians, including Pet Metheny, Michael Brecker and Jaco Pastorius to tour with (and whose efforts were immortalised on the album Shadows and Light, 1980), so too Hejira has attracted highly experienced, world-class musicians whose primary concern is to serve the music.

Live, the band play many of the masterpiece works that can be found on Shadows and Light, but for the forthcoming tour they aren’t afraid of delving even deeper into Mitchell’s catalogue. “We can’t wait to get out on the road again” Pete Oxley, Bandleader and lead guitarist for Hejira tells me from his Oxford studio. “The songs we will be playing are beautiful, exciting and, as always with Joni, totally touching in the poignancy of the lyrics.”

Hattie Whitehead breathes life into the lyrics. No mere facsimile of Mitchell, Hattie Whitehead sings masterfully with Joni’s pitch-accuracy, poise, and dignity. She plays guitar with many of Mitchell’s signature mannerisms, using open tunings that instantly capture the authentic color of the songs.

She - and the band - are a hit. From Jazzwise: “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.” Adam Dowling of BBC Radio Kent went so far as to say “Honestly, one of the most perfect voices I’ve heard in ages”

And in Jazz News? “Hattie Whitehead’s voice is strikingly like Joni’s – pitch-perfect and pure – though with her own unique vibrato that added a sense of the unfamiliar to the tune. The band are incredibly strong musicians and displayed real moments of flair....Go and see this music performed live, with all the musicality, intensity and passion it so richly deserves.” I can think of no better recommendation.

Hejira’s 2025 Tour starts on the 11th March at the Jazz Cafe in London. For a date near you please check hejira.co.uk