AN OUTSTANDING band will be paying tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell at Pavilions Teignmouth next month.

Hejira is a seven-piece band that was set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of 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 much-lauded live album, ‘Shadows And Light’ -and it is from this album that the Hejira draws the body of its repertoire.

Comprising highly experienced, world class jazz musicians, the band 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.

And her bandmates make an equally impressive line-up.

Guitarist Pete Oxley grew up in a family of classical musicians and as well as a master of the strings is also a talented composer and bandleader.

Saxophonist Ollie Weston has toured extensively across the world with the likes of the late Amy Winehouse and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, while keyboard player Chris Eldred is a regular performer at Ronnie Scott’s and is one of London’s most in-demand pianists.

When it comes to electric and acoustic bass Dave Jones is one of the UK’s most brilliant players who’s worked with the likes of Bill Bruford and Willard White. Drummer Rick Finlay divides his busy time between the West End, education and performing jazz musician and percussionist Marc Cecil is a musician whose career has seen him work in myriad styles performing at various premier venues.

Tickets for the 7.30pm gig on March 21 can be booked at www.pavilionsteignmouth.org.uk