Joni Mitchell announces jazz compilation Joni’s Jazz, featuring rare demos and tributes to Wayne Shorter

The release brings together recordings from her 1968 debut Song to a Seagull through to her surprise return at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.

The collection includes rare live versions, demos, alternate takes, and remastered tracks. Among them is a previously unreleased demo of “Be Cool,” originally from Mitchell’s 1982 album Wild Things Run Fast, now available to stream. Other highlights include new versions of “Edith and the Kingpin,” “The Jungle Line,” and “Shades of Scarlett Conquering.”

Mitchell has dedicated the release to Wayne Shorter, her longtime collaborator and friend, who died in 2023. “It was a joy to play with him,” she said in a statement. “He will be missed, but he will remain alive for me in this music.”

Joni’s Jazz features contributions from Shorter, as well as Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, and Charles Mingus—all artists central to Mitchell’s genre-defying catalogue. It will be released as an 8xLP and 4xCD box set, accompanied by liner notes, archival photos, and selections of Mitchell’s own artwork. A digital edition will also be available.