Jim West (guitarist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim West
Jim West by Kyle Cassidy.jpg
Background information
Birth nameJames West
Born (1953-12-18) December 18, 1953 (age 67)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock, slack-key guitar
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, banjo
Years active1979–present
LabelsWesternmost, Scotti Brothers, Volcano, Placebo
Associated acts"Weird Al" Yankovic
Websitejimkimowest.com

James West (born December 18, 1953), also known as Jim "Kimo" West, is a Canadian guitarist best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic.[1] He auditioned for Yankovic after being introduced by Steve Jay and the two have worked together ever since. West can be heard and seen on all of Yankovic's videos, albums, and concerts since 1983.

West is also a composer for film and television and produced a number of CDs for independent artists. He has released twelve solo slack-key guitar albums. He performs regularly at concerts and festivals.

Biography[]

West performing guitar for "Yoda" in traditional Jedi robes on March 10, 2007

West was born in Toronto, Ontario on December 18, 1953, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. At age 12, he started playing guitar.[2] By age 16, he was playing professionally in various Florida rock bands, including at least one with Steve Jay.

In the early 1980s, he came to Los Angeles, where Jay introduced him to "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Currently, West resides in the Los Angeles area, but spends several months a year in Hawaii. He retains his Canadian citizenship.

In 2018, he received his first Grammy nomination for Moku Maluhia: Peaceful Island in the category of Best New Age Album.[3]

Discography[]

With "Weird Al" Yankovic[]

Solo albums[]

  • 1999 – Coconut Hat
  • 2004 – Nurturing the Garden – commission for the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i
  • 2005 – Slack Key West
  • 2006 – The Hawaiian Tribute To Sublime: Livin's EZ
  • 2007 – Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar-Kimo Style
  • 2007 – Hotel Honolulu – The Hawaiian Tribute to the Eagles
  • 2008 – Kimo's Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas
  • 2012 – Na Lani O Maui: Maui Skies
  • 2013 – Ki Ho'alu Christmastime
  • 2015 – Guitar Stories: Slack Key & Beyond
  • 2017 – Slackers In Paradise ( with Ken Emerson )
  • 2018 – Moku Maluhia: Peaceful Island
  • 2020 – More Guitar Stories
  • 2021 – Ka Honua Maluhia: Peaceful World

Producer[]

  • "Eia Mai Ka La" by Kapo Ku
  • Lily Wilson by Lily Wilson
  • Jose Can U See? by Bill Dana
  • The Enchanted Forest
  • Broken by Cynthia Clawson
  • The Koolanesian Heart by Norm Compton
  • Stepping Out by Diana Krall

Compilations[]

  • The Rocky Story

Awards and nominations[]

Grammy Awards[]

Year Category Nominated work Result
2019 Best New Age Album Moku Maluhia: Peaceful Island Nominated
2021 More Guitar Stories Won

References[]

  1. ^ "Working with "Weird Al" Yankovic". iZotope. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved August 20, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "61st GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees & Winners List". December 7, 2018.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""