Jim West (guitarist)

Jim West

Jim West performing guitar for "Yoda", March 10, 2007
Background information
Birth name James West
Born December 18, 1953 (1953-12-18) (age 58)
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

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.

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.

Contents

Biography

Born in Toronto, Ontario on December 18, 1953, West grew up in Tampa, Florida. He started playing guitar at age 12,[1] 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

Solo Albums

Producer

Compilations

Footnotes

  1. ^ [1]

External links