J. Knutson

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.

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]}

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)

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