Jim West

by David Bandrowski

Best known for his work with the "Weird Al" Yankovic Band, guitarist Jim West is also a composer of TV and film and has produced a number of CDs for independent artists. The Toronto, Canada, born West grew up in Tampa, FL, and started playing the guitar at age 12. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and Hawaii and has released 4 slack-key guitar albums. Jim was first exposed to slack-key (also known in the islands as ki ho 'alu) in 1985 while on hiatus from a "Weird Al" tour. Jim "Kimo" West now brings his own musical heritage to his original slack key instrumentals. His style has been described as "nahenahe", meaning "soft, sweet or gentle voice", a fusion of old and new but still rooted deeply in tradition. A virtuosic player and prolific composer, his delicate, heartfelt playing technique and his generous output of new, exciting slack key guitar originals puts him solidly in a category of his own.

COMMENTS

Kristin Scott Benson chooses the Deering Golden Series banjos
New call-to-action

Search Blog Post

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Jun 27.2024

Tony Trischka's Earl Jam: A Bluegrass Treasure Unearthed

Deering Banjo artist, Tony Trischka, a towering figure in the banjo world and a major influence on bluegrass music for over 50 years, has released a fantastic...

Jun 19.2023

Paula Boggs Band Visits Deering Factory

We had a visit earlier this year from the always delightful Paula Boggs Band, who joined us at the Deering factory for a chat and a song! 

Following former...

Aug 5.2022

Willow Osborne Visits Deering

Willow Osborne recently stopped by the Deering shop to play some banjos and talk about what she has been up to of late.

It was such a great day of filming,...

Apr 28.2016

Elle King Plays Banjo for Woodroom Session

Did you know that Elle King plays banjo? The incredibly talented Elle King performed in the Deering Woodroom recently, armed only with a Sierra banjo. The Ohio...

sign up for our newsletter

Archives

see all