Sedona News – Grammy-winning “slack key” guitarist Jim “Kimo” West presents an enchanting set of traditional and modern Hawaiian slack key guitar.
There will be a matinee performance on Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival.
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 million spins on streaming services and Sirius XM.
He is a 2021 Grammy Winner for his CD, “More Guitar Stories” and a 2019 Grammy nominee for “Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island”. He is also a 2008 winner of the Hawaii Music Awards and seven-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.
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 finger-picked guitar style has its roots in 1840’s Hawaii, when Mex-ican vaqueros first brought guitars to the Big Island of Ha-waii. If you saw the Oscar-winning film, “The Decendants” you have experienced this great acoustic guitar tradition.
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 Gi-tarren.
His numerous CDs feature many original compositions as well as inventive arrangements of the genreʻs classic repertoire. 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.
Check out his website for videos and more information: www.jimkimowest.com.
Jim “Kimo” West performs live in concert on Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. All tickets include a meet-and-greet with Kimo in the lobby after the show.
Visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org for tickets and performance information or call 928-282-1177. Both the Sedona International Film Festival Office and the Mary D. Fisher Theatre are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona.
