J. Knutson


James Jay Knutson 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. He toured and recorded 3 albums with the band until his departure in 1988.
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, Connie Kaldor and the Winnipeg-based Nouveau Station Wagon. Starting in 2017, he worked, performed and recorded 2 albums with the Vancouver-based band Early Spirit.
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.
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 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.
He 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 worked as a producer for CBC Radio projects in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, and for 5AD Radio in Australia.

Discography

As solo artist

  • The Last Family
  • The Last Family Album
  • Through These Windows
  • Thesis
  • 7 Seasons
  • J. Just
  • 1857 - Un Amour, Une Histoire
  • Ravens Reach
  • Reclamation
  • The Rite of Balance
  • Enter The Woods
  • ''The Lightning Chain''

    As recording artist and producer

  • Early Spirit
  • * UnRelated
  • * Hollow Tree
  • North Shore and Coquitlam Celtic Ensemble
  • * Flywheel
  • * Troubadours
  • * Rear View Mirror
  • * Dusty Windowsills
  • * Jigs Up
  • * Kings’ Set
  • * A Child's World
  • * Where The Owl Nests
  • Claude Giguère - Entre Lace
  • Polly-Esther - Sandals and Platforms
  • Josee LaJoie - Debut, Au Depanneur
  • Exit - Out of the Box
  • Miranda Frigon - Strong Enough
  • Pauline LeBel - La Tendresse, Rescue Joy
  • Draycott Swamp Devils - 2 Beer Buzz, ''Stainless SteelHead''

    As recording artist

  • Spirit of the West - Spirituality, Old Material, Tripping Up The Stairs, Spirit of the West
  • Connie Kaldor - Out of the Blue, Lullaby – Berceuse
  • Hart-Rouge - Dernier Mois De L’Annee, Inconditionnel, Blue Blue Windows, Hart Rouge
  • Nouveau Station Wagon - Nouveau Station Wagon
  • Image - Nouveau Monde
  • Carmen Campagne - Une Fête Pour Les Enfants, ''Une Voix Pour Les Enfants''

    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 ; Tripping up the Stairs/Spirit of the West 1987

    Juno Awards

  • Une Voix Pour Les Enfants
  • ''Lullaby – Berceuse''

    SOCAN Awards

  • Inconditionnel
  • ''Hart Rouge''

    Quebec Felix Awards

  • Inconditionnel
  • ''Nouveau Monde''

    North Vancouver FANS Awards

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