Joni Mitchell announces new compilation album Joni's Jazz

Joni Mitchell has announced a new compilation album titled Joni’s Jazz, which celebrates her long and influential relationship with the genre. Set for release on September 5 via Rhino Records the album will be available in 8-LP, 4-CD and digital formats.

The 61-track collection spans her entire career - from her 1968 debut album Song to a Seagull to her celebrated live performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival, her first concert since she suffered aneurysm in 2015.

The compilation includes a range of material: studio cuts, alternate takes, live recordings and two unreleased demos. One of these, a stripped-down 1980 version of 'Be Cool' recorded with drummer John Guerin, is out now.

The physical editions will include liner notes, rare photographs and original artwork by Mitchell. The collection highlights her collaborations with jazz legends like Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus and Wayne Shorter.

Mitchell dedicated Joni's Jazz to Shorter, saying, "It was a joy to play with him… He will be missed, but he will remain alive for me in this music."

The project was created with the Canadian singer-songwriter's input and aims to trace the evolution of her jazz style throughput her four deacade-long discography. It begins with earlier works subtly influenced by the genre, such as her fourth studio album Blue, which is considered by many music critics as one of the greatest albums of all time.