'Defiantly Joni' is a joyful celebration of Joni Mitchell’s music

Performers pay tribute to Joni Mitchell during MUSE/IQUE’s “Defiantly Joni: A Singer-Songwriter Bares Her Soul” at the Mark Taper Forum. (Courtesy photo)

“Defiantly Joni: A Singer-Songwriter Bares Her Soul,” a unique MUSE/IQUE tribute to one of our greatest singer-songwriters, Joni Mitchell, recently completed a limited engagement at the Mark Taper Forum.

Joni Mitchell revolutionized American songwriting and inspired generations. She is also a trailblazer who opened doors for women in the music field. This intimate tribute honors Joni’s genius and serves as a testament to the times and influences that fed her art, which poured out of Laurel Canyon and into the world beyond.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Joni has had an impact on my life and art. I have every one of Joni’s albums, along with albums by the musicians who influenced her and those she influenced.

Before Joni recorded them herself, it was Judy Collins’ versions of “Both Sides, Now” (1967) and “Michael From Mountains” (1967), along with Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “The Circle Game” (1967), that introduced her music to me.

I was afraid it might be an “American Idol” presentation of her songs. I didn’t really learn anything new, but I was pleasantly surprised.

It’s the work of MUSE/IQUE, a Pasadena nonprofit arts organization whose focus is breaking down barriers, bringing live music to everyone, telling the stories behind the music and creating an immersive experience. The organization brings live music education to 100,000 people each year.

The conductor was Artistic and Music Director Rachel Worbly, who captured the audience’s imagination as she shared stories of Joni’s journey. A large screen displayed images of her handwritten lyrics, paintings and album covers, leading into introductions of the songs. The audience was completely with her all the way.

Effie Passero, Chris Pierce and the DC6 Singers Collective were the featured singers, accompanied by the MUSE/IQUE orchestra. Its arrangers created new charts for fretless bass, piano, percussion, fiddle, mandolin, guitars and woodwind chorus.

Effie Passero opened the evening with theatrical and emotional performances of “California” and “Both Sides, Now” before a warm, appreciative, sold-out audience. Passero also sings with the group Postmodern Jukebox.

Roots music singer Chris Pierce used his soulful voice and harmonica to deliver wonderful versions of “The Circle Game” and “Help Me.” He’s a powerhouse. His new album, “Songs for the Heavy Hearted,” comes out in August.

The DC6 Singers Collective is a quartet that created harmonies by fusing styles around songs that supercharged emotions. The group is featured on the Oscar-winning soundtrack for “Sinners” (2025).

“Coyote,” “Big Yellow Taxi” and “A Case of You,” as well as selections from her album “Blue” (1972), were greeted with applause by the audience.

The audience loved the stories that led into the songs. The paraphrased story below introduced an outstanding performance of “Our House,” which was widely applauded by the audience:

Joni and Graham Nash were in love and lived together in Joni’s house in Laurel Canyon. Graham Nash wrote “Our House” (1970) for Joni. It was originally performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

The following paraphrased story led into another of the evening’s outstanding performances: Carole King’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

In 1971, Joni Mitchell was in Studio C at A&M Studios recording “Blue.” She and James Taylor were a couple, and he was around the corner at Sunset Sound recording “Sweet Baby James.” In Studio B at A&M was Carole King, recording “Tapestry.”

Joni Mitchell sang backing vocals and played guitar on Taylor’s “Mud Slide Slim.” Taylor played guitar on Joni’s “Blue.” Joni and James joined together to sing backing vocals on Carole King’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

I’m aware that Bob Dylan spent an entire weekend listening to Joni’s “Blue” album, saying he was deeply affected by it. The title and themes of his song “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975) were inspired by it.

What I wasn’t aware of was that the final song of the evening, Dylan’s “Shelter From the Storm” (1975), was a favorite of Joni’s.

Chris Pierce and his harmonica brought the house to life, with the audience joining the rest of the performers and orchestra in a stunning finale. One of the highlights of the evening was his a cappella performance.

Clearly, Rachel Worbly knows the power of music. She reminds me of Leonard Bernstein’s “Young People’s Concerts” (1958-72). We are the better for it.

Outside in the Music Center plaza, I recognized a gentleman who had been sitting in the front row and was clearly having a wonderful time during the performance. I asked him for his reaction. His response was something like this:

“What Worbly does is remarkable. What she does is in a class of its own. No one is doing storytelling the way she does. She tells stories about history, stories that are inspirations. There’s nobody like her. I travel the world. I hear music everywhere. She captures the audience. It’s informative and educational, and it’s great music. By introducing audiences to an artist or a specific time in music and reinventing the songs, it’s invigorating. It creates new connections to music, the arts and the community.”

I asked his name, and he replied, “Jerry Kohl.”

It was only later that I discovered Jerry Kohl is a Pasadena businessman and that the MUSE/IQUE orchestra was underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl. The couple is deeply involved in major philanthropic efforts. In addition, he is one of the founding members of the board of directors.

With Rachel Worbly’s vision and leadership from people like Jerry Kohl, we can see that MUSE/IQUE is on a mission to spark inspiration, build empathy and expand access to live music. That’s just what we need.

MUSE/IQUE has a number of different performances coming up. I encourage you to see them. Its next performance is “Looking West: How the Myth of the Western Frontier Got Started,” featuring Emmy Award-winning actor Glynn Turman.

Aug. 25-26
The Huntington

Aug. 30
Skirball Cultural Center

Information about MUSE/IQUE and “Looking West” is available on its website: https://www.muse-ique.com/events-and-rsvp/looking-west