Jim West (guitarist)

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Jim West
Jim West by Kyle Cassidy.jpg
Background information
Birth nameJames West
Born (1953-12-18) December 18, 1953 (age 71)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres Rock, slack-key guitar
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1979–present
LabelsWesternmost, Scotti Brothers, Volcano, Placebo
Website jimkimowest.com

James West (born December 18, 1953), also known as Kimo, is a Canadian guitarist best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic. [1]

Contents

Biography

West performing guitar for "Yoda" in a Jedi costume on March 10, 2007 JimWest.jpg
West performing guitar for "Yoda" in a Jedi costume 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 later bandmate Steve Jay.

In the early 1980s, he came to Los Angeles, where Jay introduced him to "Weird Al" Yankovic. He auditioned for Yankovic after being introduced by Steve Jay and the two have worked together ever since. [3] [4] 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.[ citation needed ] He has released fourteen solo slack-key guitar albums. He performs regularly at concerts and festivals.[ citation needed ]

In 2018, he received his first Grammy nomination a Moku Maluhia: Peaceful Island in the category of Best New Age Album. [5] In 2020 his album, More Guitar Stories received another Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album and subsequently won that category. [6]

He has a private studio in Los Angeles, [7] but spends several months a year in Hana, Hawaii. [8] He retains his Canadian citizenship.[ citation needed ]

Discography

With "Weird Al" Yankovic

Co-leader albums

Solo albums

Producer

Compilations

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2019 Best New Age Album Moku Maluhia: Peaceful IslandNominated
2021 More Guitar StoriesWon [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Working with "Weird Al" Yankovic". iZotope. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ ""Weird Al" Yankovic: Biographies". Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  3. ↑ jon@notehead.com (May 5, 2014). "Stephen Jay". For Bass Players Only. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  4. ↑ Andrew Daly (June 19, 2024). ""I was so nervous my foot was shaking on my wah pedal. After the gig someone said, 'Wow! How are you getting that sound?'" Weird Al Yankovic guitarist Jim "Kimo" West on shaky beginnings, parody rock glory – and his Grammy-winning third act". guitarworld. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  5. ↑ "61st GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees & Winners List". December 7, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Jim Kimo West - Winner details". www.grammy.com.
  7. ↑ "A Little About Kimo". jimkimowest.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ Collins, Dan (March 6, 2023). "Maui is About to Get Weird". Maui Time Weekly . Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Jim Kimo West - Winner details". www.grammy.com.
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