The Careless Navigator would like to
…make a short mention of a real Hawaiian great, Jimmy Borges. Singer and actor.
You may think you have never heard of him (particularly here in Australia), but l can almost guarantee you have. He is one of those guy’s with endless energy. Though, in his mid seventies he looks like he is in his forties (how does that work?). The past five decades or so has seen him work as jazz singer all over the United States, including long stints in Vegas and of course Hawaii.
His acting roles are what we here in Australia would know him for. Playing characters in Jake and the Fat Man, Magnum PI and several roles in Hawaii Five 0.
The Careless Navigator had a chance to meet Jimmy last year and blew it. One of our favorite haunts is “Chuck’s Cellar” in Waikiki, where we would go each night to have a Mai Tai and hang out with Les Loo, Chuck’s regular piano player and all round great guy. Jimmy was there as part of a small private function. He actually got up and did a few songs and was fantastic. Les, who is a good mate of Jimmy’s offered to introduce us but we chickened out. Maybe next time.
There is currently a documentary in production about Jimmy, ” Keeper of the Flame”
Cheers CN