She's with Jimmy, Now
Vicki Bergeron Borges was the woman behind the award-winning Hawaii jazz entertainer many likened to Frank Sinatra. A hui hou, dear lady...
I’m re-publishing this, because I found out that the wife of the late Na Hoku-winning Hawaii jazz artist Jimmy Borges passed away Sunday. Vicki helped me with the Aug. 15, 2017 article about the launch of her husband’s All-Star Jazz Festival at Blue Note Hawaii. She reached out earlier this year to thank me for my Jan. 4th tribute, “The Indubitable Magic of Jimmy Borges.” That’s when I learned that she was in treatment for cancer. Vicki remained positive, classy, honest about the emptiness Borges’ own death left, and serene, as always. I’m sad and stunned and reminded again that we only have so long, and all of the bullshit we fight over means nothing in the end. She’s with Jimmy, now, watching over us, and, I hope, guiding me to always be the better person.
The four-time Na-Hoku-Hanohano-Award-winning entertainer would’ve gotten a kick out of the jazz festival created in his name.
The inaugural Jimmy Borges All-Star Jazz Festival at Blue Note Hawaii July 30 celebrated a one-of-a-kind singer who left his mark in music and pop culture (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.”) — far outside the islands.
The first of its kind, the jazz festival brought a record capacity crowd to the Blue Note at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort & Hotel for two sold-out shows (6:30 p.m., 9 p.m.). Friends, family, fans, they all came for more Aloha from Borges, who passed away from lung cancer in May 30 last year, two days short of his 81st birthday and after winning his first Na Hoku Hanohano Award for his self-titled labor of love.
Aloha Carol:
Thank you for your note. I think Jimmy is thinking of us....I’ve read that the spirit of those we love who have departed will come back to us in our thoughts...when we think of Jimmy, it means he's thinking of you, of me and his spirit is with us and around us.
I'm doing ok. I have a very realistic view of Jimmy's passing. It's something we talked about...often. We knew it was going to happen and we prepared ourselves best we could. We made sure he did all he wanted to do...until he couldn't. He knew when his passing was close...so did I.
So, we are blessed to have had Jimmy in our lives. Very blessed. He was a special man. I'm glad you felt his spirit...he loved yours. And your husband was special to Jimmy, as is your son.
Love you so much, and thanks for checking in on me. I will survive!
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Vicki
(Nov. 5, 2016)
The festival opened with the charismatic talk-story singer living large on the big screen in a five-minute video clip from Phil Arnone’s TV bio.
Host Shari Lynn, Loretta Ables Sayre, Willie K., Kip Wilborn, and the first Jimmy Borges scholarship recipient, Charles Mukaida, serenaded the appreciative audience with songs and standards the legend himself would’ve performed. They were backed by an all-star band of in-demand, Borges-approved musicians, including percussionist Noel Okimoto, bassist Dean Taba, and flutist Rocky Holmes.
The featured guest stars all crossed paths with Borges through the years on- and off-stage.
Borges would regularly appear as a guest star at Lynn’s Sunset Jazz fundraiser for La Pietra School for Girls, before and after his liver cancer procedure in 2011 (the cancer subsequently spread to his lungs).
Borges’ wife Vicki was on hand to graciously accept a star in his honor, placing it in one of the dedicated Blue Note tables.
“I hear songs that Jimmy used to sing, and the waves of emotion start. But that's good. It means he's in my heart and very much a part of my life. It's difficult for me to go gigs with our musical friends, only because the music, the whole scene is a reminder that Jimmy's not here. It's hard to describe, but I think you probably do, because you're so much a part of Ed's life and his musical life.” — Vicki, May 22, 2017
She talked about the first annual festival and what it would’ve meant to her husband in a recent interview.
What a lovely acknowledgement of Jimmy Borges’ legacy. What kind of a festival was this?
Two very, very good friends suggested this...that something musical should be done to keep Jimmy's legacy alive. So it's a jazz festival, but [we encompassed] some Broadway, some pops, some Great American Songbook, some jazz!
How did this All-Star Jazz Festival come about?
The fabulous owners of Blue Note Hawaii wanted to do something to honor Jimmy — since he was unable to perform at the club due to his cancer, even though he was able to attend the club's soft opening [Jan. 13, 2016]. After Jimmy passed, the Blue Note Hawaii asked me if they could dedicate a table medallion and a booth in Jimmy's name at the club. Every Blue Note club has a "star musician or singer" medallion on all the tables in each club...so Jimmy is the first local entertainer to have his own medallion at the Blue Note Hawaii! The medallion will include his signature...
What are your hopes for this festival in the future? Hopefully, it will expand for several days and include a lot more promising musicians, rising and established stars?
Yes, we will expand it. But I have to get through this first one before I can reveal plans about the next one
What would Jimmy think of this festival?
He would have loved it, and would be touched by the Aloha from everyone. And proud of Charles!
What does this festival mean to you?
Continuing Jimmy's legacy, supporting the arts and upcoming young talent. And keeping in touch with musical friends, giving them a place to perform.
I wrote and produced this for Jimmy….they are together now, like you said….sigh. Say Hello to your other half!
https://youtu.be/dechCiesB-Y?si=sIBUIVeDWQcE0WR0