While many know him for his work with comedic musical genius “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jim Kimo West is an accomplished slack key guitarist in the Hawaiian “ki ho’alu” style. He’s a Grammy winner, with a string of excellent records in his arsenal, and he plays Boulevard Music at the weekend. He told the News all about that and more…
When did you start playing and performing?
Gee, I guess I started playing guitar when I was twelve. My older brother played a bit, mostly folk songs. He saw that I was interested so he got me a chord book and some new strings. I dove in headfirst, learning everything I could from records and friends .A few years later I got into electric guitar and was playing rock and roll professionally by age sixteen. After moving to Los Angeles in the early 80’s I met “Weird Al” Yankovic and started touring and recording with him, which I still do today. In 1985 I made my first trip to Hawaii, to the little town of Hana in East Maui. That’s where I first heard the “slack key” guitar. In 1999 I released my first slack key CD, Coconut Hat and I now have about thirteen or so albums in my catalog. I’ve played most all the festivals and concert series over the years and know pretty much all the touring slack key artists.
Describe your sound/style?
I guess I would call my style “progressive slack key.” I try to keep the essence of the style while taking it to new places.
What have you been up to since we spoke three years ago?
Gee it’s been three years? Let’s sea. I released my twelfth album, “Of Wood and Spirit,”
which is kind of an “Americana meets Hawaiian slack key guitar” concept. I had some excellent guest artists on that one including Greg Leisz on pedal steel, MB Gordy on percussion, Ron Korb on flute, Gabe Witcher on fiddle and both Michael Manring and Jimmy Johnson on bass.
Last year I did 76 sold out shows with “Weird Al” Yankovic including Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks and the Forum here in L.A. An amazing project I was involved in as guitarist and producer, “Sounds of Kumbha,” was nominated for a Grammy this year. It’s a collection of twelve songs and videos that celebrate last year’s Maha Kumbh in India, the largest human gathering in history with over 550 million pilgrims attending over a thirty five day period. It was an amazing experience being there to shoot the videos!
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
“Sounds of Kumbha” is available on all streaming platforms and YouTube hosts the amazing videos. I also released a collaboration album with Joss Jaffe called “Santhi,” which is currently featured on Sirius XM. And of course “Of Wood and Spirit” is available on all platforms and on my website as a physical CD or download.
What are your memories of your last Boulevard Music show?
I believe that was with Muriel Anderson. I think I played some solo pieces and I remember we had a fun time jamming.
What can the audience expect from the set this time?
I think more of the same but I’ll be introducing some new material. Muriel and I might play some tunes from our upcoming “traditional country meets Hawaiian slack key” album!
What else do you have coming up?
Joss Jaffe and I have a new album, “Delphinus,” which drops on March 30. We will be doing an album release party at Zula Den on March 28. I’m also working on three solo projects – all very different!
Jim Kimo West performs alongside Muriel Anderson at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 at Boulevard Music. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more information about the show, or jimkimowest.com for more about the artist.
Elsewhere this week
There’s a full program of music at the Cinema Bar this week, as usual. The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays every Monday, and Wednesdays are singer/songwriter and open mic night. Other artists performing this week include Sons of the Engineers and AMP. Go to thecinemabar.com for more info.