James West (born December 18, 1953), also known as Kimo, is a Canadian guitarist best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic.[1]
Biography
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.[citation needed] 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.[3] In 2020 his album, More Guitar Stories received another Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album and subsequently won that category.[4]
He has a private studio in Los Angeles,[5] but spends several months a year in Hana, Hawaii.[6] He retains his Canadian citizenship.[citation needed]
