A talented advanced hard bop pianist from Canada, Juno Award winner Jon Ballantyne attended North Texas State University. He debuted with a 1988 set for Justin Time that featured tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson. A member of Henderson's quartet for a time (touring Japan), Ballantyne also recorded for Justin Time in 1994, leading a trio. He has since released numerous albums, including Known/Unknown, Trio Live, Avenue Standard, Ever Since Now, and 4tets + Dewey Redman. ~ Scott Yanow