The Montreal-based label Justin Time Records is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a compilation of 40 songs from many of its quintessential releases.
Titled 40 Years of Justin Time Records, the collection features tunes by Oliver Jones, Diana Krall, Ranee Lee, Carol Welsman, Paul Bley, Brandi Disterheft, David Clayton-Thomas, Dave Young, Oscar Peterson, Christine Jensen, Hilario Durán, Alex Pangman, and many more.
Founded in 1983 by Jim West, Justin Time began by releasing the first recording from the esteemed pianist Oliver Jones, who just this year was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Today, the label has a catalogue of more than 600 recordings by some of the finest musicians in the world.
“It’s hard to believe over 40 years have passed,” said West. “Over the label’s history we are looking at more than 600 album releases with some of the best musicians in the business. It is so important for me to note, and very proudly so, that our first three signings, Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee and Trevor W. Payne and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir are still with us today and great friends with whom we talk daily. Other musical talents, such as the late great Oscar Peterson, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Bley, Kenny Werner, Diana Krall, World Saxophone Quartet, Fontella Bass, David Murray, Billy Bang, Susie Arioli, Bryan Lee, Matt Herskowitz, Carol Welsman, Dave Van Ronk, Rob McConnell, David Clayton-Thomas, Frank Marino, and Hank Jones, amongst many others, have blessed the label with their talents. Added to this list are a new generation of artists such Emma Frank, Katherine Penfold, Halie Loren, and Laura Anglade, to name a few. How lucky we have been.”
In 2016, the Montreal International Jazz Festival presented West with the Bruce Lundvall Award, named after the late Blue Note Records executive and presented to a person from the media or music industry who has made a significant contribution to the development of jazz. In 2018, he received the Builder Award from the Canadian Independent Music Association’s CIMA Awards. In 2022, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the Canadian recording industry, and for supporting and championing the country’s talent.
Here’s the track listing:
- Oliver Jones – Blues For Helene
- Ranee Lee – I’ve Got The World On A String
- Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir – Goin’ Up Yonder
- Diana Krall – Straighten Up and Fly Right
- Billy Bang – Reflections
- Quartango – Androgyne
- Brian Hughes – Promise You
- Carol Welsman – What A Fool Believes
- Lorraine Klaasen – Pata Pata
- Halie Loren – Waiting In Vain
- Laura Anglade & Sam Kirmayer – J’aime Paris au mois de mai
- Jean-Michel Pilc – Your Lullaby
- Paul Bley – Lucky
- Susie Arioli – Pennies from Heaven
- Hank Jones – Pauletta
- David Murray – Giant Steps
- World Saxophone Quartet – Hey Joe
- Brandi Disterheft – Blues For Nelson Mandela
- Taurey Butler – Swappin’ Lies
- Denny Christianson – Looking for the Back Door
- Bryan Lee – Louisiana Woman
- Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush – Red House
- Emma Frank – Steady
- Kitt – (I Would Be) Grateful
- Jeri Brown – The Twelfth of Never
- David Clayton-Thomas – (You’ve Made Me So) Very Happy
- D.D. Jackson – Peace Song
- Dave Young – OP&D
- Little Animal! – Twindle
- Coral Egan – State of Grace
- Hugh Ragin – An Afternoon in Harlem
- Hilario Durán – Autumn Nocturne
- Oscar Peterson – Surrey With the Fringe on Top
- John Stetch – Autumn In New York
- Christine Jensen – Day Moon
- Michael Marcus – The Legend of Hale-Bopp
- Sonny Greenwich – Bird of Paradise
- Nelson Symonds – Getting Personal
- Alex Pangman – When I Get Low I Get High
- Matt Herskowitz – Tribute to John Coates