A LITTLE ABOUT KIMO.

Hawaiian “slack key” guitarist, producer and composer

Having never even seen Waikiki, Jim “Kimo” West came right to the tiny village of Hana, Maui in 1985 and spent much of his time there for many years. It was in Hana where he first heard the music of Gabby Pahinui, Sons Of Hawaii, Sonny Chillingworth and Atta Isaacs. Already familiar with alternate tunings, the sound of ki ho’alu became rooted deep in his musical landscape. This warm and engaging fingerpicked guitar style has its roots in 1840’s Hawaii, when Mexican vaqueros first brought guitars to the Big Island of Hawaii.

Kimo is regarded as one of the world’s foremost “ki ho’alu” or Hawaiian “slack key” guitar artists and his music has garnered over one hundred twenty five million spins on streaming services and more on Sirius XM. He is a 2021 Grammy® Winner for his CD, “More Guitar Stories” and a 2019 Grammy® nominee for “Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island” and a current nominee for his work as producer and guitarist on “Sounds Of Kumbha”. He is also a 2008 winner of the Hawaii Music Awards and six-time Na Hoku Hanohano (the Hawaiian ‘Grammy’) nominee. He is also a two-time winner of the LA Treasures Award for his efforts in keeping this important acoustic guitar tradition alive. He is a veteran of Hawaii’s famed slack key festivals as well as the So Cal Slack Key Festival every year from 2008 through 2025.

He has shared the stage with almost all the world’s top slack key players at one time or another. He has been a featured performer twice on the acclaimed International Guitar Night Tour as well as the European version, Nacht Der Gitarren and will be hosting the 2027 tour.

His numerous CDʻs feature many original compositions as well as inventive arrangements of the genreʻs classic repertoire. His “Guitar Stories” series goes beyond slack key, exploring other genres like West African guitar, Middle Eastern Music and Americana.“Slackers In Paradise” features duets with slack and steel guitar legend, Ken Emerson and his latest CD, “Of Wood and Spirit” is an intoxicating blend of Hawaiian slack key and Americana.

Kimo’s music is also included in the world’s most popular relaxation app, Calm.

His work as long-time guitarist with “Weird Al”, has earned five Grammy’s and a Billboard #1 CD debut for 2015’s “Mandatory Fun”.

Kimo has also worked as a composer for film and TV for many years and maintains a sophisticated private studio in Los Angeles. He has composed music for features films, network TV shows and specials and cable shows. His slack key compositions have been used in a number of features, TV spots, cable, web and in many documentaries.