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.
 

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, 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.
 

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!
 

Joni Mitchell has long had an affinity for jazz. She was preparing to make a recording with the great Charles Mingus in 1978, but the bassist, composer and iconoclast died before the disc, Mingus, was finished. Two musicians on that album, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, became longtime friends and collaborators with the iconic Canadian singer and composer.

Local vocalist Amber Epp has an affinity for jazz and Joni Mitchell and she will perform jazz arrangements of Mitchell’s album Blue on March 29, 8 p.m., at Aqua Books. "Some of the songs sound quite different from Joni’s version, but my goal is to carry on the spirit of the original album and put a bit of myself in there, too," Epp says.

Tickets for the Jazz Machine Series, where musicians take a well-known pop or rock album and put a jazzy spin on it, are $10 at Aqua.