Jim West (guitarist)

Jim West
Background information
Birth name	James West
Born	(1953-12-18) December 18, 1953 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Rock, Slack-key guitar
Occupations	Guitarist, Composer, Producer
Instruments	Guitar, banjo, mandolin, keyboards, vocals
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Westernmost Records, , Scotti Brothers Records, Volcano Records, Placebo
Associated acts	Weird Al
Website	www.jimkimowest.com/
Notable instruments
Anderson Guitars Taylor Guitars Mesa/Boogie Amplifiers

Jim West performing guitar for "Yoda", March 10, 2007

James "Jim" "Kimo" West is a guitarist best known for working with the singer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic. West 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 albums, videos, and concerts since 1984.

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

Biography

Born in Toronto, Ontario on December 18, 1953, West grew up in Tampa, Florida. He started playing guitar at age 12, and by age 16 was playing professionally in various Florida rock bands, including at least one with Steve Jay. He came to Los Angeles in the early eighties, where Jay introduced him to Yankovic. West still lives in the Los Angeles area, but spends several months a year in Hawaii. He retains his Canadian citizenship.

Discography

With Weird Al

• "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

Solo Albums

• Coconut Hat
• "Nurturing the Garden - commission for the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i
• Slack Key West
• The Hawaiian Tribute To Sublime: Livin's EZ
• Hotel Honolulu - The Hawaiian Tribute to the Eagles
• "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar-Kimo Style"
• Kimo's Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas

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

Compilations

• The Rocky Story

External links

• http://www.jimkimowest.com/
• http://www.myspace.com/jimkimowest
• http://www.westernmostmusic.com/
• http://www.weirdal.com/
• Jim West entry on Dean Guitars website
• Jim West at the Internet Movie Database