After celebrating the 40th anniversary of the long-running Canadian jazz, blues, and gospel label last year, Justin Time Records, founder Jim West has announced he’s stepping down from his position to focus on his management firm Wild West Artist Management. Jim began the label in 1983, unearthing and releasing the first recording from renowned jazz pianist Oliver Jones. From there he went on to help launch the careers of well-known artists like GRAMMY-winner Diana Krall, beloved jazz singer Ranee Lee, and others.
West is proud to pass the torch to his fellow Canadian colleagues and partners, Nettwerk Music Group, who aim to continue the label’s legacy and champion the Canadian music scene past and present. Nettwerk will carry-out Jim’s mission to release and promote a diverse array of talented Canadian and international artists including Christine Jensen, Halie Loren, Laura Anglade, Matt Herskowitz, Jean-Michel Pilc, Simon Denizart, Lex French, Code Quartet, and more.
West had this to say about the change: “In thinking about the transition for Justin Time it was important for me to find a home that could carry on the deep-rooted traditions practiced by the label – an artist first mentality and great music people at the helm. We are extremely fortunate to have the Nettwerk Music Group as the new owners and custodians of our work.”
Nettwerk COO & President, Simon Mortimer-Lamb, said: “Jim West’s visionary leadership of Justin Time Records has left an indelible mark on Canadian music history. The rich catalogue of music he has nurtured, produced and released over the years represents some of the genre’s finest Canadian and global artists. It has been a pleasure working with Jim over the past several years, and it is an honour for the Nettwerk team to continue the legacy of Justin Time Records.”
West began his career in the 1970s working as road manager for Mahogany Rush. West went on to found Justin Time Records in 1983 after hearing jazz pianist, composer and arranger Oliver Jones, OC, QC performing at Montreal jazz club ‘Biddle’s.’ His was the first release on the label which became home to many incredible musicians and features recordings by Ranee Lee, Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, Bryan Lee, Lorraine Klaasen, Halie Loren, David Murray, Carol Welsman and hundreds of other Canadian and internationally known artists.
After forty years with nearly six-hundred recordings released by some of the finest musicians in the world, Jim and Justin Time transformed the landscape of the Canadian Music Industry by elevating not just the jazz genre but as a champion of Canadian arts and culture overall and his strong belief and support of the outstanding talent this country has to offer. In 2016, the Montreal International Jazz Festival presented Jim West with the Bruce Lundvall Award, named after the late American Blue Note 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 Award, and 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 our country’s talent.
Nettwerk Music Group is a full-service artist development and music intellectual property brand builder with a history spanning nearly 40 years. Founded in Canada in 1984, Nettwerk operates a global organization with offices in major cities around the world and has acquired an outstanding reputation as an innovative and independent force in the music industry. With its unique model built around fan-connected communities of like-minded artists, Nettwerk harnesses the power of shared audiences and partners with artists to help them build meaningful, engaged fan bases and sustainable careers.
