Jim West: Jazzin' Justin Time's 40th & Best Industry Advice - Part Three

In the Zen (continued from Part Two…)

By Kerilie McDowall
©2024 Kerilie McDowall - All Rights Reserved.

ITZ: Wheeler and Bley were such masters, and getting back to Sonny Greenwich, he is such a legend, too. It seems that he was not miffed by Bley and took that unusual scenario very well and remained open-minded about it. Greenwich has made so many influential albums and is such a naturally gifted talent. Numerous musicians admire Greenwich, like for example, saxophonist Mike Allen, who was learning from Greenwich at a young age on the bandstand.

But speaking about great releases, everyone has been so impressed with saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen lately, she is doing great work, her latest release, for example, sounds truly excellent, her composing never disappoints and then of course her JUNO-winning releases were stellar. She always has such beautiful harmonic and melodic ideas. How did you discover Canada's Jensen, and what led to Justin Time recording her?

JW: Christine has always been on our radar. We licensed her two earlier [JUNO winning] orchestra recordings: Habitat (Justin Time, 2013) and Treelines (Justin Time, 2010). It was Christine who suggested her latest recording entitled, Day Moon, (Justin Time, 2023) she had some great material for a quartet outing and we jumped at the chance to do this. A great artist and a great composer. She's also a prominent member of the CODE Quartet also released on Justin Time.

Day Moon · Christine Jensen - Day Moon ℗ Justin Time Records Inc. Released on: 2023-06-16. Music Publisher: Janijam Music Reg'd administered by Nettwerk Music Group Inc./Kobalt. Provided to YouTube by Nettwerk.

ITZ: It would be fun if you penned a book or your memoirs. So many people would be fascinated to read it. You could get permission from artists to discuss them and then do the writing easily by recording audio in otter.ai and then hiring an editor. Many people would buy that book.

JW: Ha Ha. I did ask someone in our business years ago if he was planning to write a book about all the shows he produced and the artists he had met over the years and he calmly said, "Not until everyone is dead."

ITZ: Some wonderful American musicians have been picked up by your label, from Kenny Werner and David Murray to Sheila Jordan, please share about these special artists.

JW: Yes, we have been fortunate to be able to release productions from both Kenny Werner and Sheila Jordan. In the case of David Murray, we ended up doing at least 12 full productions and he also played on some of our other recordings with artists such as Ranee Lee, by D.D. Jackson and by Jeri Brown. I think that David's body of work with Justin Time is simply sensational. It's a who's who of some of the greatest musicians around. We can't forget his work with the World Saxophone Quartet either. A sensational artist.

Photo credit: Green Street Studio.

ITZ: Indeed this is exciting and again "timeless," the music art of Murray, and all of Justin Time Records' artists are worth exploring.

JW: Well I think that the 40th-anniversary compilation is a good start and certainly one can go deeper if they want to.

ITZ: There is a lot in the catalogue to explore. We have not talked yet much about the gospel music you have recorded.

Speak about gospel releases such as the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir; for example, It seems that not much can compete with a gospel choir like theirs as far as an uplifting inspirational experience goes. How did you enhance the label's catalogue with gospel and blues releases? Was it personal interest?

JW: This was another suggestion by Oliver Jones when he was actually playing the organ for the choir. I loved the sound of this choir under the leadership of Trevor W. Payne. He brought this group of non-professional singers to the forefront both in North America and Europe as well. It's a traditional sound with superb arrangements by Trevor Payne. We released 11 productions over the years and did well with all of them. Their Christmas concerts were regular sellouts along with their appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Image by Riccardo Cellere.

ITZ: If you had your three items to complete on your unfinished bucket list, what would they be? (In no particular order.)

JW: 1. Release an Oliver Jones and Ginette Reno live recording from the Montreal Jazz Festival from 24 years ago.

2. Start a community jazz festival.

3. Digitize all the master tapes from the beginning of the label.

You know, I don't have a big list, to be honest. I think I'd like to learn how to work and study video. I don't know yet how to alter video footage and do things to it. And I would like to do that. You know, something I would like to learn is how to work a computer properly.

And if there was one artist that I can record today, I think I'd like to record Eric Clapton I don't know why. I just think his career has been great. He's covered many different genres. And that's really basically it. I don't have major aspirations. Other than that, maybe I would like to be a better hockey player. That's not going to change anytime soon. (Laughs.)

ITZ: You could digitize those master tapes. Do you think you will ever finish digitizing?

JW: No I don't think that will be done as the cost is exorbitant—certainly based on the number of master tapes we have. We used to record at the beginning on 1" tape, then we graduated to 2" and then everything was backed up on DAT as well as either ½" or ¼." The average was at least 5 or 6 rolls of two-inch tape per session plus the backups. That's a huge undertaking.

ITZ: You had said that you are releasing 5-7 albums this year each with 3-4 singles, too. What are the next projects that are coming up for Justin Time Records, which artists do you plan on releasing next?

JW:  Lex French (Trumpet) with his quartet; Christine Jensen; CODE Quartet; Simon Denizart (piano) with his quartet; Halie Loren (vocal) with a quartet/quintet; Laura Anglade (vocals) mainly with a quintet. Lots more to come with both Jean-Michel Pilc and also Matt Herskowitz. Last, but not least, Emma Frank and a new EP.

Dearly Beloved · Laura Anglade - I've Got Just About Everything. ℗ Laura Anglade under exclusive license to Justin Time Records Inc. Provided to YouTube by Nettwerk
ITZ: Do you plan on slowing down anytime soon with retirement plans, or will you work for as long as you are inspired?

JW: Yes, I may step away from the label in the next little while and concentrate more on my management agency Wild West Artist Management.

ITZ: What is the agency up to as of late?

JW: At the moment at Wild West Artist Management we are currently working with eight artists, two of whom are retired: Oliver Jones and Trevor W. Payne, but of course, there is still work to be done for them.

ITZ: What is the best advice on reaching success that you would give our Canadian musicians here in Canada?

JW: I have no magic formula for success for any musicians, believe me. But certainly, you just have to have faith in what you do. You've got to learn your craft as best as you can. Learn from the best.

You know, it's funny, musicians will help you and the biggest names in the world will do something for you, they'll help you. Just call them, email them, or something. I'm sure they may not answer you right away. But play those shows and compose what you're composing. And get it done. Believe in your craft. And that's it. It'd be good to work with someone who is honest and straight-ahead and will guide you and help guide you because you don't have to be a master of every craft in the world. But, just try and learn the ropes as best you can. That's it. I don't have any other words of wisdom, that's for sure.

Halie Loren - Stop This World (Lyric Video)
(C) & (P) 2024 White Moon Productions under exclusive license to Justin Time Records Inc.

ITZ: What are your parting words of wisdom to those considering joining the music industry today for the first time?

JW: It's a great industry. Learn about it. Surround yourself with good people and promote your work as much as possible. Currently, live shows and social media seem to be the best routes.

ITZ: Do you encourage Canadians to market heavily into the USA?

JW: Well if you have built your base in Canada then I would say yes proceed to the newer market.

ITZ: Have you found that within the indie jazz categories, many JUNO-winning artists are struggling to survive?

Jean-Michel Pilc at the Crescent (first clip).
Two short excerpts from the The Crescent Inc. - a Montreal based concert live-streaming and content production company catering to artists and musicians. Justin Time.

JW: Yes indeed. Artists in general are not having an easy time out there in the marketplace. [I advise them to] get in touch with those who they feel are good mentors based on what they have achieved, by what you have seen, and get in touch with them.

ITZ: What are the best career moves that indie and new jazz recording artists should be considering within 2024 going into 2025?

Click clipped view entire message link below left to continue blog reading.

JW: Play live as much as you can. Participate in social media as much as you can and try and develop a network of musician friends in various cities.

ITZ: Do you have any last thoughts to add as we wrap up?

JW: The music business is fun and very challenging at the same time. There's no problem having a job to fall back on such as teaching or playing out locally to support your greater endeavours.

ITZ: Where is the 40th anniversary Justin Time album, 40 Years of Justin Time Records, (Justin Time, 2023), available for Canadian and international listeners?

JW: The compilation is available in a digital format only—you can find it on all streaming and download platforms like Spotify, Apple, Amazon, etc. and you can find more information about the compilation and our artists and catalogue on our website www.justin-time.com.

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More about the author Canadian jazz guitarist/13x award-winning TV movie Director/jazz radio host, and jazz writer (DownBeat 2016-2020) Kerilie McDowall is available online at In the Zen blog and the Canadian Online Guitar Lessons website on beehiiv. Enjoy McDowall's jazz and creative music interviews, stories, and seasonal lifestyle articles, and learn more about her music, and creative and music services. Want to read more? Subscribe to Kerilie’s interviews and articles here. CONTACT Kerilie McDowall here.

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