Justin Time Records: More Than A Quarter Century (and counting) of Recordings

It’s hard to believe over 37 years have passed since the birth of Justin Time Records and the launch of its first recording, the Oliver Jones Trio “Live at Biddles”. 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, Mazacote, 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 as Barbra Lica, Emma Frank, Katherine Penfold, Halie Loren, Ariel Pocock and Laura Anglade to name a few

The label does not function by itself. There is a huge network of people that help in the promotion and marketing of every recording we release. It requires a team and we have been very fortunate to surround ourselves with some of the best. Starting with our general manager Nancy Marley, who has been with the label for 35+ years, Simon Fauteux from Six Media in Quebec, Eric Alper in Ontario, and I’m very proud to say our partners at the Nettwerk Music Group have the most incredible team to work with around the globe. Our valued point person at Nettwerk is Adam Popowitz who has been essential in helping us navigate the ropes both at Nettwerk and with our distribution partners worldwide.

I would also like to give a shout-out for the financial assistance given to artists, managers, publishers and labels alike in Canada by various governments both Federal and Provincial including the Canada Council for the Arts, Factor and Musicaction with Canada’s private radio broadcasters, Sodec and many others. Thank you for your support.

Likewise – the incredible network of festivals across the country in the jazz, blues, folk, classical and world music genres, in fact music festivals in general have helped discover and pave the way for many artists to flourish both domestically and internationally. We are indeed fortunate.

Our industry continues to go through significant changes both in the way music is producer and consumed. The fact remains is that people want great music and we want to continue providing this for years to come.

Justin Time Records