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Jim West (guitarist)

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Jim West
Background information
Birth nameJames West
Born (1953-12-18) December 18, 1953 (age 70)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock, slack-key guitar
Occupation(s)Guitarist, composer, producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, banjo, mandolin, keyboards, vocals
Years active1979-present
LabelsWesternmost Records, Scotti Brothers Records, Volcano Records, Placebo
Websitehttp://www.jimkimowest.com/

James "Jim" West (born December 18, 1953), also known as 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 1984.

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

Early life

West was born James West 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.

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

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

References

  1. ^ "Working with "Weird Al" Yankovic". iZotope.
  2. ^ [1]
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