Canadian guitaristMusical artist

James West (born December 18, 1953), also known as Jim "Kimo" West, is a Canadian guitarist best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic. 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 fourteen solo slack-key guitar albums. He performs regularly at concerts and festivals.

Contents

• 1 Biography
• 2 Discography
  • 2.1 With "Weird Al" Yankovic
  • 2.2 Solo albums
  • 2.3 Producer
  • 2.4 Compilations
• 3 Awards and nominations
  • 3.1 Grammy Awards
• 4 References
• 5 External links

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. 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 a Moku Maluhia: Peaceful Island in the category of Best New Age Album.

In 2020 His album, More Guitar Stories received another Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album and subsequently won that category.

Discography

With "Weird Al" Yankovic

• "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
• Dare to Be Stupid
• Polka Party!
• Even Worse
• UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
• Off the Deep End
• Alapalooza
• Bad Hair Day
• Running with Scissors
• Poodle Hat
• Straight Outta Lynwood
• Alpocalypse
• Mandatory Fun

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

References

External links

• Official website
• Jim West at IMDb
• http://www.westernmostmusic.com/
• Jim West entry on Dean Guitars website