Jazz is not what comes to mind when some people think of Joni Mitchell. But that is exactly what Mitchell considers her music to be, says Leslie Ballard, flautist and vocalist for Joni Mitchell’s Jazz. The seven-member group will celebrate Joni Mitchell’s 75th birthday by playing to audiences at Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street, on Saturday, October 13.

Proceeds will go to the Edmond Town Hall restoration fund, earmarked for the historic building’s theater.

“Some people don’t realize that Joni’s big hits are in the jazz genre,” says Ms Ballard. “Miles of Aisles, Shadows and Light, Court & Spark, Hejira are all jazz albums. She has worked with many well-known jazz artists, including Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus, Pat Metheny, and Jaco Pastorius.

"Our band acknowledges that she is a jazz musician, even though some may not recognize her in that light,” Ballard continued.

Joni Mitchell almost died in 2015 from a brain aneurysm. On November 7, she will celebrate her 75th birthday, and in honor of her gifts and achievements, Joni Mitchell’s Jazz will perform and share her acclaimed music. Audience members will be able to record comments on a video e-greeting birthday card that will be sent to Mitchell.

The concert is a tribute to a premier songwriter, guitarist, singer, and producer whose name appears on many lists of superlatives: Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time, among many other accolades.

JM Jazz’s last Edmond Town Hall concert was a sell-out event. Five members of the band, including Ballard, are Newtown natives, and they share the community’s love for the theater. In addition to Ballard on flute and vocals, the lineup features Steve Zerlin (bass), Roger Post (drums), Matt Spencer (percussion), George Lesiw (guitar), Steve Moran (sax), and Christian Martirano (keyboards).

Doors will open at 7 pm on October 13, and a wine bar will be available.

Tickets are $20 and are available online at edmondtownhall.org.