A band celebrating the music of one of the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit are set to play at Totnes Civic Hall at the beginning of next month.

Hejira, who will perform at the venue on May 2, initially started off as a project that has rapidly blossomed from an initial one-off gig into a highly successful touring band.

The band toured extensively last year, performing songs that are beautiful, exciting and, as always with Joni, totally touching in the poignancy of the lyrics.

They celebrate and honour Joni’s masterpiece works , mostly concentrating on music from the late 1970s. Having released the albums ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter ’ and ‘Mingus’, Joni then toured briefly with a band formed from the best musicians (Metheny, Mays, Brecker, Pastorius and Alias).

The tour was recorded, producing the much-lauded live album, ‘Shadows And Light’; it is from this album that the band Hejira is drawing the body for its repertoire.

Comprising highly experienced, world class musicians, the band is fronted by the brilliant Jana Varga who not only has – in her own way – assimilated the poise, power and beauty of Joni’s vocals, but also plays guitar with Joni’s stylistic mannerisms.

And much of the success of the group is also down to Pete Oxley (Hejira’s bandleader and guitarist) having selected a personnel that are not only great players in their own rights, but also great fans of this music.

The band never fails to captivate their audiences as they perform the music of, arguably, the greatest singer-songwriter of the 20th century.

Tickets for the 8pm gig on Saturday, May 2, gig can be be booked at online at www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/totnes/civic-hall.