The News

It is with sorrow that we relay the news of William Anderson's passing - Joni's father. Our sincere condolences to Joni and all those lives whom William has touched.
 

On Tuesday, February 7th at 7pm, Maggie Hollinbeck will be singing Joni's entire BLUE album from start to finish. Check out all the details here.
 

The 3rd Annual Tribute Night occurs on February 18 from 7-10 pm in Ithaca, NY. This is a benefit for the scholarship program of the Community School of Music and Arts. View all the details here.
 

Joni Mitchell's Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration at Village Roots Concert Series

New York, NY – December 6, 2011 – The Christopher Street Coffeehouse will present a special tribute concert - Joni Mitchell's Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration - on Thursday, January 5 at 7:30PM as part of the Village Roots Concert Series. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door.

This concert will feature a stellar cast of some of New York'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. Performers will include:

MEG BRAUN megbraun.com
ANNA DAGMAR annadagmar.com
HONOR FINNEGAN honorfinnegan.com
SHARON GOLDMAN sharongoldmanmusic.com
VICTORIA LAVINGTON cdbaby.com/VictoriaLavington
CATHERINE MILES wearetheyayas.com
KARYN OLIVER karynoliver.com
ELISA PEIMER elisapeimer.com
ALLISON SCOLA allisonscola.com
CAROLANN SOLEBELLO carolannsolebello.com
ALLISON TARTALIA allisonsinvention.com

Proceeds from this concert will benefit CHRISTOPHER STREET COFFEEHOUSE in its continuing efforts to bring the best in folk and roots music to Greenwich Village and celebrate our neighborhood's rich musical heritage.

Village Roots Concerts are held on the first Thursday of every month at the historic St. John’s Lutheran Church at 81 Christopher Street in the Village. More information about the artists and Christopher Street Coffeehouse may be found at www.christopherstreetcoffeehouse.org
 

Click here to leave your birthday wish for Joni!
 

A new book, tentatively titled "Blazes All Across The Sky: Writers Respond to the Poetry of Joni Mitchell", will be published in Spring 2013 by Three O’Clock Press of Toronto.

According to sources close to her, Joni is excited about the project because it is about her work as a poet, and the creative process itself, and has many incredible contributors, including First Nations authors. They also said she will be contributing to the project in some way herself.

Many authors and artists are involved; some are famous, some friends of Joni. Wally Lamb, Kim Addonizio, Estrella Berosini ("Estrella, circus girl"), and Sharon Veer ("Song for Sharon") are among the cast of contributors, to name a few.

The book is a compilation of original essays, poetry, short fiction, a scene from a new play, and a few original photographs, paintings, 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 in doing so, touch yet transcend the personal.

"Blazes" is the vision of Lisa Sornberger, a poet who created this project to honor Joni as one of the finest poets of our time. "It is my way to say thank you to someone whose work has resonated so deeply, brought me great joy, and solace, and sparked my own creative process. I think I can safely say the other contributors feel similarly."

John Sornberger is Lisa’s co-editor, and brings his talents as a poet, author, editor, and left-brained thinker to the project.

"We expect the result will be a meeting of the minds and hearts of those everywhere who have been moved by Mitchell’s poetry. It is high time Joni got her due as the poet she is", say the Sornbergers.
 

Bay Area duo Genna & Jesse’s 2011 U.S. “Railroad Tour” begins on Nov. 18th at Yoshi’s San Francisco.

The Yoshi’s event will include a musical retrospective on Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s 1976 “Hejira” album interpreted by Bay Area artists. More information
 

Does this border on gossip? Perhaps, but it sure is nice to see a recent picture of Joni looking healthy and happy. And, due the lack of Joni news lately, we'll take the risk. Here's Jane Fonda's blog post about her dinner with Joni, Bonnie Raitt, and others on Saturday night.
 

According to an article published today, author Eric Lott is working on a new book about Joni. More details as we know them!
 

In an interview published yesterday with filmmaker Laura Archibald [regarding her new film Greenwich Village: The Music that Defined a Scene] she states that she asked Joni to participate in the project. The reply from Joni's management was "Joni wishes you the best of luck, but she doesn't do anything regarding her career any longer." Read the article here.
 

The Lynn Skinner Quintet presents "True Blue: Joni Mitchell (1971-1974)" celebrating the 40th anniversary of Joni's great album, BLUE, as well as select songs from FOR THE ROSES and COURT & SPARK. Swallow Hill Music Association, Denver, Colorado at 8pm. More info here
 

Barrington Library
Sunday, October 2, 2011 @ 2 PM
281 County Road, Barrington, RI 02806 (401)247-1920

The Debra Mann Trio blends Joni Mitchell’s incomparable words and music with a sparkling jazz touch. Enjoy “The Circle Game,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” “Both Sides Now,” “Blue,” and more. The Trio features Debra Mann on piano and vocals, Dave Zinno on acoustic bass, and Steve Langone on drums.

The Debra Mann Trio is a featured act at clubs and festivals throughout New England. Their annual tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim sells out every year. Debra Mann has been a guest vocalist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences placed Debra Mann on the Official Ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards in the following categories: Record of the Year ('Autumn'), Album of the Year ('Home'), Song of the Year ('Heart of Love'), Best Pop Vocal Album ('Home'), and Best Improvised Jazz Solo ('Autumn').
 

Warwick Library
Sunday, November 6, 2011 @ 2 PM
600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI 401) 739-5440

The Debra Mann Trio blends Joni Mitchell’s incomparable words and music with a sparkling jazz touch. Enjoy “The Circle Game,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” “Both Sides Now,” “Blue,” and more. The Trio features Debra Mann on piano and vocals, Dave Zinno on acoustic bass, and Steve Langone on drums.

The Debra Mann Trio is a featured act at clubs and festivals throughout New England. Their annual tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim sells out every year. Debra Mann has been a guest vocalist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences placed Debra Mann on the Official Ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards in the following categories: Record of the Year ('Autumn'), Album of the Year ('Home'), Song of the Year ('Heart of Love'), Best Pop Vocal Album ('Home'), and Best Improvised Jazz Solo ('Autumn').
 

Robin Adler & Mutts of the Planet with special guest Max Bennett perform 2 of Joni Mitchell’s best loved albums - Blue and Court and Spark – in their entirety as a tribute to Joni on the eve of her 68th birthday. Featuring Robin Adler vocals, Dave Blackburn guitars, Barnaby Finch keyboards, & more. More information here
 

BBC award-winning British jazz singer Ian Shaw is performing an exclusive solo concert of Mitchell’s songs at Kings Place concert hall in London on Thursday 22nd September at 7.30 pm. Shaw recorded “Drawn To All Things, the Songs of Joni Mitchell” for Linn Records in 2006 to universal acclaim. Chris Louden, Jazz Times, said “none of the pop or jazz vocalists who've ... tackled Mitchell tracks have shaken my belief. Until now.” More information here
 

By mixing Mitchell's music from this and other Joni Mitchell albums with informed commentary from musicians, fans, music critics and archival interviews with Mitchell herself, Joni Mitchell's BLUE articulates what music lovers have found so compelling about this particular album. Special guests include music writers Ann Powers, Anthony DeCurtis, Paul Zollo, and Lydia Hutchinson. Also featured are musicians Shawn Colvin, Lucy Kaplansky, and others. More information...
 

Cafe Aroma Jazz Festival, 6pm
54750 North Circle
Idyllwild, California 92549
951-659-5212
more info...
 

"Safaris to the Heart" the Songs of Joni Mitchell, 7pm
432 E. Dougherty St.
Fallbrook, California 92028
760-645-3229
Price: $20
more info...
 

Cafe Aroma, 6pm
54750 North Circle
Idyllwild, California 92549
951-659-5212
more info...
 

Local folk artists will band together in Germantown for a musical tribute to one of music’s most famous singer-songwriters.

Grace Griffith with Zan McLeod, Marcy Marxer and Tina Chancey, Sol & Funk Root, Cary Creed, and The Kennedys will interpret the work of Joni Mitchell during a concert Thursday, May 19, at BlackRock Center for the Arts.

Patch caught up with the Thursday’s performers ahead of the concert. They said they don’t intend to copy Mitchell’s sound, but plan to pay homage to her work, instead. Let’s meet a few of the musicians:

Celtic singer Grace Griffith has a reputation for melding musical genres when reinterpreting songs, though she also creates original work. Griffith, who is known for her 2003 Blix Street Records release, “Sands of Time,” has won numerous WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Association) awards for Best Album, Best Artist, Best Folk Album and Best Folk Artist.

At BlackRock, Griffith will perform with Zan McLeod, a multi-instrumentalist with musical roots in Appalachian folk and electric blues-rock. During the 1990s, McLeod released solo album “Highland Soul,” the success of which inspired him to enroll at the Omega Studios’ School of Applied Recording Arts and Sciences in Rockville. He eventually established Tonehouse Recording.

Also in the lineup is Marcy Marxer, whose collaboration with Cathy Fink earned Grammy wins for Best Musical Album For Children: “cELLAbration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins” in 2004, and “Bon Appétit!” in 2003, according to the Grammy’s online database. Marxer will perform with Tina Chancey at BlackRock.

Sol & Funk Root is a guitar-bass-drum trio that blends rock, funk, blues and soul. Although the band’s music is rooted in blues, Sol dabbles with reggae, jazz, Latin, African music and R&B.

Pianist and guitarist Carey Creed taps her background in rock, Celtic music and gospel music. She named Stevie Wonder, Cheryl Wheeler and, of course, Joni Mitchell, as influences. She said Mitchell’s music inspired her to compose her own songs about social justice and love. Creed has won several vocalist WAMMIEs.

Husband-and-wife team Pete and Maura Kennedy are the two halves that make up The Kennedys --- with Maura on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Pete playing multiple instruments. The couple said they met in Austin, Texas, and had a first date at Buddy Holly’s grave, which according to their online bio, puts their relationship somewhere “between fate and a fairytale.”

If you go

WHAT: A musical tribute to Joni Mitchell, featuring Grace Griffith with Zan McLeod, Marcy Marxer and Tina Chancey, Sol & Funk Root, Cary Creed, and The Kennedys.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19
WHERE: BlackRock Center for the Arts, Germantown
COST: Tickets cost $28 and are available online, at the theater’s box office, or by calling 240-912-1058.