Jim West (guitarist)

Infobox Person
name= Jim West


image_size = 150px
caption= Jim West performing guitar for "Yoda", March 10, 2007

birth_date= December 18
birth_place= Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
death_date=
death_place=

James "Jim" "Kimo" West (born December 18, (year unknown) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) 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 three solo slack-key guitar albums. He performs regularly with Hui, a Hawaiian music ensemble.

Biography

Born in Toronto, West grew up in Tampa, Florida. He started playing guitar at age 12 [http://www.weirdal.com/bio.htm] , and by age 16 he 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"
* ""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"

olo 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"

Producer

*"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/
* [http://www.deanguitars.com/jimwest.php Jim West entry on Dean Guitars website]
*imdb name|name=Jim West|id=0922144