The News

Robin Adler and Mutts of the Planet celebrate Joni's 70th birthday by performing her 1976 Hejira album in its entirety. Grammy winner Jamie Kime (Zappa Plays Zappa) joins the Mutts on lead guitar for this night of Joni's most lush and poetic music.

Joni Mitchell's Hejira Live - 8pm, Sat. Nov 9th
4275 Mission Bay Drive at Rosewood Street
Pacific Beach, California 92109
Price: $20
Reservations are recommended. 760-723-1056.
 

Laurie Antonioli, The prime San Francisco singer, one of many jazz musicians drawn to the melodies, lyrics and harmonies of Joni Mitchell’s vivid songs, sings the songwriter’s music in spacious arrangements explored by a deft quintet of improvisers. More details
 

The new book "Gathered Light: The Poetry of Joni Mitchell's Songs" by Lisa and John Sornberger is now available to order. David Geffen, Larry Klein, (song for) Sharon Veer, Wally Lamb, Richard Flynn, and many others contribute. More details here.
 

The Joni Show Back By Popular Demand

Tribute to Joni Mitchell Features 14 Local Talents

FELTON, CA -- March 4, 2013 -- The Joni Show, the popular tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell, returns for a third time on Saturday, March 23 at 8:00 pm at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. The venue is located at 320 Cedar Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 and can be reached at 831/427-2227.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The two previous Joni shows sold out weeks in advance. As of press time, 50 tickets are available here.

"The Joni Show III features an all-star line up of 14 of Santa Cruz's most popular and accomplished musicians," said Producer Jayme Kelly Curtis. "We've added many new songs this time and there is a greater level of collaboration among the players. I've also retained the popular 'informational audio quips' from interviews with Joni and contemporaries such as David Geffen and Graham Nash."

The concert features a wide variety of material spanning the breadth of Mitchell's prodigious output of original songs from 1968 through 1994. Singers this time include Curtis, Amy Obenski, Celina Gutierrez, Ginny Mitchell, Jesse Autumn, Pamela Hanson and Kevin Kraft, Paula Bliss and 2013 Gail Rich award winner Pipa Pinon. Each of these musicians has had a serious love affair with Joni Mitchell's work. Instrumentalists Bill Walker, Bob Bliss, Bob von Elgg, Daniel Vee Lewis and Jimmy Norris round out the sound.

For those unable to obtain tickets, a video highlight reel of some of the best performances from the two previous Joni Shows airs on Santa Cruz Community Television throughout the first two weeks of March. The broadcast schedule is available here.
 

The Community School of Music & Arts and CFCU present The 4th Annual Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert
Friday, March 8th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
3rd Floor Stage, CSMA, 330 E. State/MLK, Ithaca NY

Ithaca loves Joni Mitchell, and they will prove it again at the 4th Annual Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert, March 8 at the Community School of Music and Arts. Many of Ithaca's best musicians will return for what has proven to be an exhilarating exhibition of Joni Mitchell's rich and varied catalogue. This year's lineup includes Amelia Burns, Anna Coogan, Bev Fitzpatrick, Colleen Kattau, Cookie Coogan, Eric and Christine, Joe Gaylord, Kara Eaton, Maggie Whitehead, Mike Allinger, Mollie MacMillan, Patti Witten, Sim Redmond & Jen Middaugh, Susan Terwilliger and Sue Tierney McNamara.

A $10 donation benefits the CSMA Arts Education Programs
 

Where Light Falls - Songs about Joni Mitchell
Tuesday 09 April, 19:30
Firth Hall
Tickets: £8.50, £6 (concessions-over 60s),
£3 (under 26s, students, unwaged)
Duration: 90 minutes + 20 minute interval.
Click here to purchase tickets online now


The highly influential singer-songwriter and versatile musician Joni Mitchell is best known for hit songs such as ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ and ‘Woodstock’ but there is far more to her work than this. Through the medium of original songs composed with lyricist Mike Jones and guitarist Alejandro Sancho, Sheffield based jazz singer Rosie Brown has taken her admiration for the song-writing, singing and playing of Joni Mitchell as the inspiration for this concert. In this ‘rich biographical body of work in song’ Rosie and her band explore the artist's career and complicated personal life, joys and trials, the love she walked away from to fulfill her artistic dreams, her life as a painter and the conflicts with fame of this all too human musical icon.

University of Sheffield alumnus Rosie Brown arrived at jazz when late nights in Techno clubs were rounded off with Nina Simone records. What really converted her though, was hearing Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. Amongst her other influences, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Carmen Macrae, Sheila Jordan, Shirley Horn, Cassandra Wilson and Keith Jarrett stand out. Rosie was originally part of a notable renaissance in classic jazz singing, a movement which includes Tina May with whom she studied. Other teachers include Sheila Jordan and Scottish award winning tenor saxophonist Bobby Wellins, who accepted an invitation to tour with her in 2000.

Rosie’s debut album, ‘Preface’ was released to rave reviews in 1998, coinciding with a national tour sponsored by Jazz Services. In 2001, album number two, ‘Now’s the Time’, was also warmly welcomed by critics. Her third, ‘Miss Brown to You’, came out in May 2003 and the fourth recording ‘Bicycles and Dreams’ reflects her evolution in both vocal range and musical interests.
 

On Friday, March 8, the me&thee presents a special tribute concert – Joni Mitchell's Blue: A 40th Anniversary. This concert will feature a stellar cast of some of the New York City area's finest female singer-songwriters in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's landmark album, Blue. The evening will include performances of ALL the songs from Blue plus original songs inspired by Joni Mitchell. Doors open at 7:30 PM for this 8:00 PM show at the me&thee coffeehouse which is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

Women know about the power of girlfriends — but how about an entire posse of female empowerment? For the past decade, nearly a dozen NYC and NJ-based women have been part of an informal NYC-based musical girlfriend posse called the Chicks with Dip — singers and songwriters all, who convene regularly for afternoons filled with songs, wine, chips and dip, and lots of girl talk that ranges from the silly to the sexually explicit and from the emotionally raw to the political. The Chicks are Honor Finnegan, Meg Braun, Sharon Goldman, Victoria Lavington, Catherine Miles, Karyn Oliver, Elisa Peimer, Allison Scola, Anna Dagmar, Carolann Solebello, and Allison Tartalia. Over the years, they have laughed, cried, gossiped and performed together — and supported each other through 10 years of ups and downs: the birth of Carolann’s son; Meg’s marathon success; Allison S.’s wedding; Allison T.’s dating dilemmas; Elisa’s husband’s brain tumor; and Sharon’s divorce — not to mention moves, job changes, unemployment, band breakups and writer’s block. Their most serious struggle was when Victoria was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.The gals swooped in to provide food, transportation, babysitting, and emotional support, as well as a fundraising performance in 2009 that raised over $5,000 towards Victoria’s treatment. “The idea for the Blue show sprang up organically up at a meeting in the summer of 2011,” says Carolann Solebello, longtime Chick and former member of female Americana trio Red Molly. “We were discussing Joni Mitchell and what her songwriting has meant to each of us, and since we’re always on the lookout for ways to collaborate, the 40th anniversary of Joni’s masterpiece seemed the perfect opportunity.”

Tickets for the special tribute concert – Joni Mitchell's Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person in Marblehead at either the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery As at all me & thee coffeehouse events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus. The me & thee is the oldest continually running acoustic coffeehouse in New England, and probably the country. The me & thee has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the link above.
 

More information here!
 

Robin Adler and Mutts of the Planet - "For the Roses"
Dizzy's- 8 pm
4275 Mission Bay Drive at Rosewood Street (San Diego Jet Ski Rentals)
Pacific Beach California 92109

760-723-1056 robinadler@sbcglobal.net reservations

$20 at the door.

Robin Adler & Mutts of the Planet perform a night of early Joni music including the 1972 For The Roses album in its entirety. Robin Adler, Dave Blackburn and Barnaby Finch, with Peggy Watson, Barry Cahill and Danny Campbell faithfully present this beautiful music in a great listening space. Reservations recommended.
 

Join host Mia Sheard for her annual Joni tribute at Hugh's Room in Toronto. Featuring David Sereda, Lenni Jabour, Selena Evangeline, and Molly Sweeney. Featuring Band Members Ryan Granville-Martin, Chris Gartner, Kurt Swinghammer, Joan Besen, Colleen Allen. More information here.
 

54 Below is delighted to tip our hat to the brilliance of eight-time Grammy winner Joni Mitchell. Whether it’s “Both Sides Now,” “Chelsea Morning,” “The Circle Game,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” or “A Case of You,” the work of Mitchell, one of the world’s most embraced, lauded, and prolific singer-songwriters, continues to inspire and delight generations of listeners. At 54 Below, look for a cast of Broadway and cabaret luminaries singing the praises of all things Mitchell, including: Lisa Asher (MAC, Bistro & Nightlife Award winner), Annie Golden (Broadway’s Hair, Leader of the Pack, On the Town, The Full Monty, Xanadu), Heather MacRae (Broadway’s Hair, Falsettos, A Catered Affair), Julie Reyburn (MAC, Bistro, Nightlife Award winner), Nic Rodriguez (Broadway’s Tarzan, Helen Hayes Award winner), Gabrielle Stravelli (celebrated NYC jazz vocalist), and Michael Winther (Broadway’s Damn Yankees, 1776, Mamma Mia!). Upon presenting her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, the Grammy’s called Joni’s music “a powerful influence on all artists who embrace diversity, imagination, and integrity.” For four special performances only at 54 Below, come see why! More info here.
 

Just published! An exclusive JoniMitchell.com interview with Jean Grand-Maitre where he announces, among other things, that a new Joni ballet is to premiere in May 2014. Thanks to Mark Scott for conducting the interview.
 

Lauren Fox is being heralded as one of the brightest stars on the New York cabaret scene, and Friday she will be at the Schorr Family Firehouse Stage in Johnson City when Goodwill Theatre presents “Love, Lust, Fear and Freedom: Songs of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.”

A recent article in the New York Times singled out Fox as the “future of the cabaret world.” “Together, Lauren and her trio perform 16 songs — nine by Joni Mitchell and seven by Leonard Cohen — into a spellbinding his-and-hers dialogue that conjures the charged erotic climate of the hippie culture of the Woodstock era, when sex was infused with romantic mysticism. Her show is remarkable, deep and dramatically revealing.”

The affair of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen in the late 1960s may have only lasted a few months, but its resonance in the songs of these two Canadians, especially in Mitchell’s lyrics, is far-reaching. A speculative exploration of their personal and artistic chemistry is only one aspect of Fox’s remarkable cabaret show.

Through stories and song, Fox examines the creative genius and conflicted desires of two of folk music’s most enduring artists.

Fox delves into the meaning behind the songs, giving us a better understanding of a painter and a poet who mesmerized the world through song. Highlights of the show include Mitchell’s “Chelsea Morning,” “River” and “Both Sides Now” and Cohen’s “Suzanne,” “Bird on a Wire” and “Hallelujah.”

In the spring, Fox was named as the Female Debut Artist of the Year at the annual MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Awards and Debut Artist of the Year at the 27th Annual Bistro Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in cabaret and jazz. Film credits include Darren Aronofsky’s “Pi,” “Noon Blue Apples” (Sundance 2002 premiere), “Revolution Summer,” “Hamill” and “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

Television credits include “New Amsterdam” and “Fringe.”

Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors and students and can be purchased at www.goodwilltheatre.net or by calling the theatre box office at (607) 772-2404, ext. 301. The Schorr Family Firehouse Stage is located at 46-48 Willow St. Doors open approximately one hour before show time. General seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

Garden Stage at UUCCN will present a special tribute concert - Joni Mitchell's Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration - on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau, 223 Stewart Avenue (corner of Nassau Boulevard), Garden City, NY. Tickets, $20 in advance/$22 at the door, may be purchased via email by writing calendar@uuccn.org or calling 516- 279-7606. For more information about Garden Stage, visit http://www.gardenstage.com/.

This concert will feature a stellar cast of some of the New York City area's finest female singer/songwriters - plus Philadelphia percussionist Cheryl Prashker - in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's landmark album, Blue. The evening will include performances of ALL the songs from Blue plus original songs inspired by Joni Mitchell. Performers will include: Meg Braun, Anna dagmar, Honor Finnegan, Sharon Goldman, Victoria Lavington, Catherine Miles, Karyn Oliver, Elisa Peimer, Cheryl Prashker, Allison Scola, Carolann Solebello and Allison Tartalia.

These 12 women, known collectively as Chicks With Dip, represent a loose affiliation of female singer/songwriters in the New York City area who enjoy each other's company and the pleasures of good conversation, good songs, and good dip. The Chicks will celebrate their tenth anniversary this year.

"The idea for the Blue show sprang up organically at a meeting," says Carolann Solebello, longtime Chick and former member of female Americana trio Red Molly. "We were discussing Joni Mitchell and what her songwriting has meant to each of us, and since we're always on the lookout for ways to collaborate, the 40th anniversary of Joni's masterpiece seemed the perfect opportunity."

For more information, visit http://www.gardenstage.com/

Indulge in delicious homemade desserts in the Mallette Gallery during the intermission.

Garden Stage is an all-volunteer, non-profit, committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau.
 

Gathered Light: On the Poetry of Joni Mitchell by Lisa and John Sornberger, press release:

Joni Mitchell is one of the greatest poets and songwriters of the late 20th century. For over forty years her powerful lyrics have compelled listeners to dig deeper. This one of a kind collection finally allows even her most passionate fans to do just that.

Gathered Light: On the Poetry of Joni Mitchell, includes more than fifty original contributions by acclaimed writers such as Wally Lamb and Fred Wah, Canada’s poet laureate, as well as some of Mitchell’s long-time friends and creative collaborators. These diverse voices celebrate Mitchell’s poetic craft and offer their insight in the form of original essays, poetry, short fiction, photographs, and collages. Each contributor shares his or her connection to, interpretation of, and inspiration from their favorite Mitchell poem. Many comment on a larger societal or political issue explored therein. All share their experiences of why Joni’s work has been so important to them, and honor her as a poet and source of inspiration. According to sources close to her, Joni said was excited about and highly honored by the project... that she felt that it will finally set the record straight; that she is an actual poet. Also, that the individual responses make it "personal" and bring it around to complete the circle. She touched on how much the First Nations’ poets’ presence in our book mattered to her, and that she was pleased with the entire contributors list of poets, writers, artists, and friends.

Gathered Light is the collection that fans of this legendary artist have been waiting for.

Available April, 2013, by Lisa and John Sornberger, from Sumach Press
 

Time to wish Joni a happy birthday! 69 years young!
 

A gathering of northcoast musicians will pay tribute to Joni Mitchell on her birthday, Wednesday, November 7th, at 8pm at the Arcata Playhouse in Arcata, California. Jan Bramlett, Morgan Corviday, Tim Grey, Josephine Johnson, Marla Joy, Joanne Rand, Sarah Torres, Andrea Zvaleko and other north coast musicians will celebrate Joni's birthday by performing a selection of their favorite Joni songs. Tickets may be purchased at The Works in Eureka, at Missing Links in Arcata, online, or by calling the Playhouse at 707-822-1575 for reservations. $12 at the door, $10 in advance.
 

We've received a copy of the new boxed set from Rhino (featuring all studio albums through Mingus) and are pleasantly surprised at the quality. Each CD is an exact replica of the original gatefold LP as released, a nice touch. It's a little tough to read some of the lyrics, downsized as they are into CD packaging, but still, a nice set. The package is to be released on November 6, a day before Joni's birthday. More info here.
 

Garden Stage at UUCCN will present a special tribute concert - Joni Mitchell’s Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration - on Friday, November 2 at 8:30PM (preceded by an open mic at 7:30) at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau, 223 Stewart Avenue (corner of Nassau Boulevard), Garden City, NY. Tickets, $20 in advance/$22 at the door, may be purchased via email by writing calendar@uuccn.org or calling 516-279-7606. For more information about Garden Stage, visit http://www.gardenstage.com/.
 

A Tribute to Joni Mitchell with The Modelos, Sarah Wheeler, Kelly Haigh, The Boomchix, D Trevlon and more! More info