Jazz Singer Jimmy Borges Dies
The well-known performer had appeared on stages in the islands and on the mainland for six decades.
Hawaii jazz singer听Jimmy Borges died of cancer Monday, two days before his 81st birthday and two days after he won four听Na Hoku Hanohano awards.
Borges performed on stage in Hawaii for six decades, as well as mainland venues.
At the awards show in Honolulu on Saturday, Borges won the Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for his album, 鈥淛immy Borges.鈥 He was too ill to attend, but was represented by his wife, Vicki Bergeron Borges, and daughter, Steffanie Borges Juergenson.
His wife of 32 years, issued this statement Monday on behalf of the family:
We are so very grateful for the love and support we have received from our friends, our community and from Jimmy鈥檚 fans in Hawaii and throughout the world during these final months of his life. His decision to live his way until the very end was exactly the right thing for Jimmy and both a gift and a lesson for the rest of us.
The family is planning a small, private Catholic Mass per Jimmy鈥檚 wishes and asks for privacy during this time. There are friends who would like to remember Jimmy in a more public way and those details will be provided at a later time.
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono released this statement:
For six decades, Jimmy Borges brought joy to audiences with his unique voice, distinctive vocal jazz interpretations and warm sense of humor. Throughout his musical career, Jimmy entertained, but he also served with distinction as an ambassador for Hawaii.
Off stage, Jimmy regularly gave back to his community, and particularly to Hawaii鈥檚 young talented musicians. The Jimmy Borges Endowed Scholarship at the University of Hawaii ensures that underserved students will have access to educational opportunities to help them pursue their musical dreams. My thoughts, prayers and aloha are with Jimmy鈥檚 wife Vicki and the entire Borges ohana.
