Joni Mitchell is known for being one of Canada's most eclectic and influential singer-songwriters. Beginning her professional musical career during the Yorkville folk revival of the 1960s, it was from there that the talented young singer-songwriter began her exploration of popular, "art-folk" music. Mitchell has always had a wanderlust, leading her to travel across America, which, as we can see through her music, has simply helped her sound flourish. His travels and experiences are not only recognized through his lyrics, but are recognized in the evolution of his musical style. He began exploring R&B, rock n' roll and even jazz, which caused his sound to change over the years. Over the course of his career, he met many musical icons, such as David Crosby and Charles Mingus, whose influences helped promote his music. It was encounters like these, as well as his travels, that contributed to his musical development. Joni Mitchell, through her music, has become the first contemporary North American artist who has not settled into one specific genre, but has explored many in her music, and how this has led her to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Alberta, Canada, on November 7, 1943. She had moved many times when she was little, between towns like North Battleford, Maidstone. During this time, he began to develop a passion for art and athletics. Mitchell was immersed in painting and music in elementary school and began taking piano lessons. His musical influence began to develop further with these lessons, however, he showed more interest in composing his own melodies than in requested pieces. Unfortunately, when Joni was only eight years old, she was diagnosed… halfway… she got the most rewarding thing that would define her career; inspiration. When she started playing in a small club in Toronto, she played what was familiar to her, namely classic folk pieces. Yet from there Mitchell began to branch out, moving from Detroit to New York and even California, meeting several artists along the way. Her success has allowed her to take her music to interesting places, which has caused her musical genre to constantly change. From folk to pop, rock and even experimental jazz, Mitchell defied the restrictions of genre in art and allowed herself to be as creative and artistic as her talents would allow. Because of these factors, Joni Mitchell is universally known as a classic Canadian musical icon. She represented herself as a true artist and was able to challenge all gender constraints by exploring all aspects of art and music.