Jim West Kimo - Ki Ho'alu Christmastime

Jim Kimo West is regarded as one of the world's top Hawaiian 'slack key'guitarists and composers of modern ki ho'alu repertoire. His style is best described as 'nahenahe', meaning 'gentle', his soft touch and deft technique being a signature of his sound. Kimo brings new tonalities and techniques to slack key while maintaing a solid foundation in traditional slack key. Even older than the blues, Hawaiian slack key got it's start in the 1830's on the Big Island when Spanish vaqueros who were imported to teach the Hawaiians cattle management, gave guitars to the Hawaiian cowboys or "paniolos". Kimo is also known as long-time guitarist for the world's most successful musical satirist, "Weird Al" Yankovic contributing his talents to many Grammy-winning CD's, tours and TV appearances.