A group of jazz musicians are bringing reimagined Joni Mitchell songs to Glasgow for the very first time – and they cannot wait. 

Hejira, a seven-piece band fronted by Hattie Whitehead and comprised of Pete Oxley (Guitar), Ollie Weston (Sax) Chris Eldred (Piano and keyboards), Dave Jones (Electric basses), Rick Finlay (Drums) and Marc Cecil (Percussion), have been making waves on the British music scene since forming two years ago. 

Set up to celebrate Joni Mitchell’s masterful work, particularly songs from her 70s resume, the band has played huge events like the EFG London Jazz Festival and will now play Macintosh Queen's Cross in the North of the city on June 20.

Glasgow Times:

Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Pete said: “This is our first time as Hejira playing in Glasgow. It’ll be a fantastic show. 

“I’ve played a few jazz clubs in the city but not for years and years, so, it’s really great to be coming back.

“The city is incredibly vibrant, so I am very much looking forward to this.”

The gig will take place on June 20, and attendees should expect the furthest thing from a night out with a tribute band.  

Pete explained: “We take the spirit of Joni’s music but we are not playing it note for note. We’re not a tribute band.

“The way I like to put it is that we’re playing the big songs – reimagined.” 

Some of the tunes Hejira will be covering include Black Crow, Woodstock, Just Like This Train, Help Me, and Amelia. 

Glasgow Times:

Pete was first introduced to Joni’s music at 21 years old when his girlfriend at the time played him the 1971 record Blue.

From there, he was completely hooked. 

Explaining it in his own words, Pete said: “I remember thinking Joni was like no one else in that era. Blue was the only record of all the singer/songwriters at that time that I actually liked. It was like something else.”

Jokingly, he added: “Sadly, the band and I have not met her yet, but I haven’t given up trying.” 

Glasgow Times:

The group formed at the end of 2022 when Pete decided to bring together a group of jazz musicians to play a one-off show of Joni Mitchell songs at his jazz club, The Spin, in Oxford. 

With the gig selling out almost immediately and a waiting list left over, it is safe to say the band quickly made a name for themselves. 

He said: “The band just gelled together immediately, and the gig was already sold out some time in advance. 

“Between rehearsal and the gig, I said to the group to put another date in their diaries because the rehearsal was so good, and we already had a waiting list. 

“We put on another gig and by 11am the whole gig was sold out again. 

“At that point, I thought maybe this project has got legs and it has blossomed ever since then.” 

Glasgow Times:

The band went on their first tour in October last year, which included around 20 dates across England. 

During the tour, the band managed to produce their first album, entitled Live at the Cock Pit, recorded at the popular venue in Marylebone, London.

Commenting on the peculiarity of fans wanting to buy their record instead of Joni’s, Pete added: “It is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Tickets for the Glasgow show which starts at 7.30pm are now on sale and can be purchased HERE