No Regrets Coyote: Joni Mitchell's 'Hejira' 50th Anniversary
Jalopy Theatre315 Columbia Street, New York 11231
No Regrets Coyote marks the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s Hejira with a full-band performance by local NYC musicians at Jalopy Theatre. The evening centers on the complete album, described by the listing as Mitchell’s meditative classic and a landmark work for its incorporation of jazz into her songwriting and her collaboration with bassist Jaco Pastorius. The program also reaches beyond Hejira for other Joni favorites. Lesley Braver hosts, with Lily Talmers, Esther Fallick, Liraz Brand, Nico Raimont, Ro Redfern, Rob Taube, and Shaina Gilks featured, with further performers to be announced.
This is a project built around Mitchell’s 1976 album rather than a separately documented touring act. Hejira is the focus: a record whose songs bring jazz into Mitchell’s songwriting and whose sound is closely associated here with her work alongside Pastorius. The billed musicians are identified as local NYC players, joining forces to approach the album in a full-band setting and to add selections from elsewhere in Mitchell’s songbook. With no further background supplied for No Regrets Coyote itself, the occasion is best understood as a one-night anniversary tribute to the record and the broader body of songs around it.
Jalopy Theatre offers a unique evening centered on folk and traditional music in a space that feels like a blend of a vintage music hall and a community gathering spot. The venue holds around 100 people, with seating that invites close-up listening, allowing you to catch every nuance of the acoustic performances. The walls reflect its roots in handmade and analog traditions, creating a setting where the music’s authenticity is palpable. Adjacent to the theatre, the Jalopy Tavern serves drinks late into the night, often with live music of its own, extending the experience beyond the main show. Shows are ticketed and often feature multiple sets, fostering a night where the music and the crowd’s focus are intertwined, making it a place to truly immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of roots music.