StrandGut Kulturmomente: On July 9, 2025 with The Joni Project in the beautiful church of St. Peter
Free-spirited at heart, virtuoso in sound: how the three musicians of The Joni Project unfold their very own energy live is a deeply moving event. They sensitively charge the eternally beautiful and suspenseful songs of the great singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell with their spirit. Warm and wild, anecdotal and entertaining. With strong solo voices and soulful harmony vocals. With instruments that are finely tuned to each other. And above all with an incomparable chemistry. The trio's concerts bring pop history to life. Until Mitchell's songs become individually tangible for everyone in the audience. All the pain, all the love, all the complex emotions. Three extraordinary musicians have come together to embrace this art. A female super group that celebrates great openness - just as Joni sings in her song “Free Darling” from 1967: “It's so nice to be free / you'll see”.
As a Hamburg Beatles expert and brilliant interpreter of the Fab Four, Stefanie Hempel knows how legendary songs continue to have a fundamental effect today and inspire generation after generation. As a multi-instrumentalist, Anne de Wolff is a sought-after musical partner for artists as diverse as BAP, Bosse, Calexico and Anna Depenbusch, whose sound she empathically enriches. The Dutch singer-songwriter Iris Romen brings in sound colors ranging from country and rock'n roll to swing and jazz.
With guitars, bass and lap steel, with saz, violin and cello, with piano, harmonium and vibraphone, they interpret legendary songs such as “California”, ‘River’ and “Woodstock”. Always keeping the essence of the originals in mind. You can hear this on their album “The Joni Project - Shades of Blue”. And to be experienced at numerous acclaimed performances - from the Elbphilharmonie Open Air to the Kulturkirche Cologne, the International Organ Week Nuremberg and the Dresden Jazz Festival. Sometimes as a three-piece, sometimes with an extended band, sometimes with star guests such as Gitte Hænning, Lisa Bassenge, CATT or Niels Frevert. These concertante happenings are enriched with sometimes deeply sad, sometimes uproariously funny and always interesting stories about Joni's life and her art. This flair for music is immediately transferred - whether to Mitchell nerds or newbies. The three life-experienced artists of The Joni Project move with incomparable dynamism between profundity and lightness. They create connections that go far beyond the music. They touch the deeply human in us.
Experience a very special concert by The Joni Project in the beautiful church of St. Peter in St. Peter-Ording.
Photos: Sebastian Madej