Jim West (guitarist)

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.

Jim West
Background information
Birth nameJames West
Born (1953-12-18) December 18, 1953
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock, slack-key guitar
Occupation(s)Guitarist, composer, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, banjo, mandolin, keyboards, vocals
Years active1979-present
LabelsWesternmost Records, Scotti Brothers Records, Volcano Records, Placebo
Associated acts"Weird Al" Yankovic
Websitehttp://www.jimkimowest.com/

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

Early life

West was born in Toronto, Ontario on December 18, 1953. He grew up in Tampa, Florida.

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

At age 12, West 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

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

YearCategoryWorkResult
2019Grammy Award for Best New Age AlbumMoku Maluhia: Peaceful IslandNominated
2021Grammy Award for Best New Age AlbumMore Guitar StoriesNominated

References
  1. "Working with "Weird Al" Yankovic". iZotope. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2001-02-08. Retrieved 2012-08-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2019-grammy-awards-complete-nominations-list#9
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