J. Knutson

James Jay ("J.") Knutson (born March 7, 1957) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer. He is normally credited as simply J. Knutson.

Education

Knutson attended Capilano University, Simon Fraser University, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, graduating from the latter with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1981.

Career

J. Knutson was a founding member of the contemporary folk band Spirit of the West. ^{[1] [2] [3]} He toured and recorded 3 albums with the band until his departure in 1988.^{[ citation needed ]}

Knutson worked as a member of the Montreal-based band Hart-Rouge, ^[4] touring and recording on 4 albums from 1988 to 1993.^{[ citation needed ]} He also performed and recorded with Carmen Campagne, Connie Kaldor and the Winnipeg-based Nouveau Station Wagon.^{[ citation needed ]} Starting in 2017, he worked, performed and recorded 2 albums with the Vancouver-based band Early Spirit.^{[ citation needed ]}

He continued to perform and record as a solo artist, releasing 9 solo albums between 1993 and 2023. Knutson has been involved in the recording of over 50 albums.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2003 and 2009, he produced, arranged and performed on albums by Canadian singer Pauline LeBel.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2007, J. Knutson was commissioned by the National Capital Commission to write, perform and record the song “1857 - Un Amour, Une Histoire”, documenting the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa as Canada's federal capital.^{[ citation needed ]}

He has won West Coast Music awards and been part of 5 Juno Award-winning projects.^{[ citation needed ]}

Knutson taught for 12 years at Simon Fraser University, instructing a music/physics course entitled “Logarithm and Blues” with Dr. Mike Hayden. ^[5]

He was also a musical/creative director for the North Shore Celtic Ensemble ^{[6] [7]} with Claude Giguere for over 20 years.^{[ citation needed ]}

Knutson has worked as a producer for CBC Radio projects in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, and for 5AD Radio in Australia.^{[ citation needed ]}

Discography

As solo artist

• The Last Family (1995)
• The Last Family Album (1996)
• Through These Windows (1998)
• Thesis (2001)
• 7 Seasons (2006)
• J. Just (2006)
• 1857 - Un Amour, Une Histoire (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 Coquitlam 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 LeBel - La Tendresse (2003), Rescue Joy (2009)
• Draycott Swamp Devils - 2 Beer Buzz (2009), Stainless SteelHead (2015)

As recording artist

• Spirit of the West - Spirituality (Rhino/Warner 2008), Old Material (WEA/Stony Plain 1991), Tripping Up The Stairs (WEA 1987), Spirit of the West (Triniti 1985)
• Connie Kaldor - Out of the Blue (1994), Lullaby – Berceuse (Sony 1989)
• Hart-Rouge - Dernier Mois De L’Annee (MCA 1992), Inconditionnel (MCA 1992), Blue Blue Windows (1992), Hart Rouge (Sony 1990)
• Nouveau Station Wagon - Nouveau Station Wagon
• Image - Nouveau Monde (Ozmoz 1992)
• Carmen Campagne - Une Fête Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1993), Une Voix Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1990)

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

Juno Awards

• Une Voix Pour Les Enfants (MCA 1990) (instrumentation; banjo and bouzouki)
• Lullaby – Berceuse (Sony 1998) (instrumentation; guitar)

SOCAN Awards

• Inconditionnel (MCA 1992) ( writing, playing and vocals)
• Hart Rouge (Sony 1990) (writing, playing and vocals)

Quebec Felix Awards

• Inconditionnel (MCA 1992) (writing, playing and vocals)
• Nouveau Monde (Ozmoz 1992) (instrumentation; guitar)

North Vancouver FANS Awards

• Award for artistic merit 2003; Arts and Culture Commission of North Vancouver
• NCC/CCN Canada 150th Anniversary Song Commemoration Award

References

1. Varty, Alexander (2008-03-12). "Spirit of the West marks a milestone". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
2. Bateman, Jeff (2006-02-07). "Spirit of the West". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
3. 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.
4. Terfry, Rich (June 26, 2013). "Rear-view Mirror: Who was 'Suzanne' and why did Leonard Cohen make her famous?". CBC Radio.
5. "Breadth Courses". Simon Fraser University. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
6. "Faculty". NSCE. Archived from the original on 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
7. Shepherd, Jeremy (December 9, 2016). "J. Knutson hanging up his skates after Christmas Crawl". North Shore News.

External links

• Canoe Songs biography
• Early Spirit official website