James Jay ("J.") Knutson (born March 7, 1957) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer. He is normally credited as simply J. Knutson.
Early life and education
Knutson attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology, graduating in journalism.
Attended :
- Capilano College ( University)
- Simon Fraser University
- graduated BCIT in Broadcast Journalism.
Career
J. Knutson was a founding member of the Canadian west coast contemporary folk band “Spirit of the West”.
He toured and recorded 3 albums with the band until his departure in 1988.
He continued to perform and record as a solo artist releasing 9 solo albums between 1993 and 2023.
Knutson worked as a member of The Montreal-based band “Hart Rouge” touring and recording on 4 albums from 1988 to 1993.
He also performed and recorded with Carmen Campagne and Connie Kaldor and the Winnipeg-based “Nouveau Station Wagon”.
In 2003 and 2009, he produced, arranged and performed on albums by Canadian singer Pauline LeBel.
In 2007 J. Knutson was commissioned by The National Capitol Commission of Canada to write, perform and record a song “1857-un Amour, une histoire”, documenting the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa as Canada's federal capital.
Since 2017 he has been working, performing and recording 2 albums with the Vancouver-based band Early Spirit.
Jay has been involved in the recording of over 50 albums, has won West Coast Music awards and been part of 5 Juno award-winning projects.
Knutson taught for 12 years at Simon Fraser University, instructing a music/physics course entitled “Logarithm and Blues” with Dr. Mike Hayden.
He was also a musical/creative director for The North Shore Celtic Ensemble with Claude Giguere for over 20 years.
Knutson has also maintained a profile in the broadcast community. Since graduating from B.C.I.T. in Broadcast Journalism in 1981, he has worked as a producer for C.B.C. projects in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, and for 5 A.D. Radio in South Australia
Jay has also scored music for the National Film Board, Danish National T.V. and the C.B.C.
Discography
As a solo artist:
- The Last Family (1995)
- The Last Family Album (1996)
- Through These Windows (1998)
- Thesis (2001)
- 7 Seasons (2006)
- J. Just (2006)
- Un Amour, Une Histoire, 1857 (2007)
- Ravens Reach (2012)
- Reclamation (2013)
- The Rite of Balance (2017)
- Enter The Woods ( 2023)
- The Lightning Chain (2023)
As recording artist and producer:
- Early Spirit
- UnRelated (2018)
- Hollow Tree (2023)
- North Shore and Coquiltam Celtic Ensemble
- Flywheel (2010)
- Troubadours (2012)
- Rear View Mirror (2016)
- Dusty Windowsills (2005)
- Jigs Up (2001)
- Kings’ Set (2003)
- A Child's World (2005)
- Where The Owl Nests (2008)
- Claude Giguère- Entre Lace (1998)
- Polly-Esther - Sandals and Platforms (1998)
- Josee LaJoie -debut (1994), au Depanneur (2007)
- Exit- Out of the Box (1997)
- Miranda Frigon- Strong Enough (2004)
- Pauline LeBelLa Tendresse (2003), Rescue Joy (2009)
- Draycott Swamp Devils-2 Beer Buzz (2009), -Stainless SteelHead (2015)
As recording artist (* indicates award recipient):
- Spirit of the West (Founding member; 1981- 1989) Spirituality (Rhino/Warner 2008)Old Material (WEA/Stony Plain 1991) Tripping Up The Stairs (WEA 1987) *
- Spirit of the West (Triniti 1985) Connie Kaldor (1988- 1998)
- Out of the Blue (1994)
- Lullaby – Berceuse (Sony 1989)*
- Hart Rouge (1989-1995) Dernier Mois De L’annee (MCA1992) Inconditional (MCA 1992) *
- Blue Blue Windows (1992)
- Hart Rouge (Sony 1990) *
- Nouveau Station Wagon Founding member (1989-1994) Self titled debut album
- With Nouveau Monde
- Nouveau Monde (Ozmoz 1994) *
- With Carmen Campagne
- Une Fait Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1993) Une Voix Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1990) Documentary Scoring -CBC radio
The National Film Board of Canada -Canadian Diabetic Association -Danish National Television. Writings/Reviews:
- Penguin Eggs, Canadian Folk Roots and music magazine 2001-Issue 10, 11 2003-Issue 17,18
Awards:
West Coast Music Awards
- Best New Artist; Spirit of the West 1986
- Group of the Year/Country Folk; Spirit of the West 1987
- Best Album (Country Folk) Tripping up the Stairs /Spirit of the West 1987
Canadian Juno Awards
- Une Voix Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1990) (instrumentation; banjo and bouzouki)
- Lullaby – Berceuse (Sony 1998) (instrumentation; guitar)
- SOCAN (Society of composers, authors and music publishers of Canada) Awards
- Inconditional (MCA 1992) (contributed to writing, playing and vocals)
- Hart Rouge (Sony 1990) (contributed to writing, playing and vocals) Quebec Felix Awards
- Inconditional (MCA 1992) (contributed to writing, playing and vocals)
- Nouveau Monde (Ozmoz 1994) (instrumentation; guitar)
North Vancouver FANS award
- Award for artistic merit 2003; Arts and Culture Commission of North Vancouver
- NCC/CCN Canada 150th Anniversary Song Commemoration Award
References
- "Spirit of the West marks a milestone". Georgia Straight, by Alexander Varty on March 12th, 2008
- "Spirit of the West". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- Michael Barclay; Ian A.D. Jack; Jason Schneider (June 2011). Have Not Been the Same: The CanRock Renaissance, 1985-1995. ECW Press. p. 380. ISBN 978-1-55490-968-1.
- Rich Terfry (June 26, 2013). "Rear-view Mirror: Who was "Suzanne" and why did Leonard Cohen make her famous?". CBC Radio.
- "PHYS 192: Logarithm & Blues".
- "Faculty - NSCE.ca".
- Jeremy Shepherd (December 9, 2016). "J. Knutson hanging up his skates after Christmas Crawl". North Shore News.
External links
| Spirit of the West | |
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| Studio albums |
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| Compilation albums |
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| Singles |
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| John Mann solo albums |
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| Related | |