A video clip from Jimmy Borges: Faced It All. Jimmy performs Night and Day

In tribute to the late Jimmy Borges, PBS Hawai‘i presents this encore special performance, taped in December, 2015. “Faced It All” is a phrase from the classic song “My Way” that Borges was often asked to sing.

The performance, to an audience of 50 handpicked friends and family, also featured Bruce Hamada (upright bass), Mike Lewis (horn), Dan Del Negro (piano) and Noel Okimoto (drums).

Borges made it clear that this was a time of celebration, not mourning. Between songs, he shared funny anecdotes and heartfelt insights.

“I’m living the life I have chosen to live,” Borges said. “Tonight is not about ‘poor Jimmy.’ Tonight is about sharing my music with all of you. Tonight we are telling someone out there that we care enough to invest in their future.”

“I’m living the life I have chosen to live,” Borges said. “Tonight is not about ‘poor Jimmy.’ Tonight is about sharing my music with all of you. Tonight we are telling someone out there that we care enough to invest in their future.”

Borges was referring to future recipients of a University of Hawai‘i vocal music scholarship that his friends established in his name. Borges hoped it would encourage Hawai‘i teens to pursue their dreams, just as he had done during his 60-year music career. “There’s no such thing as a stop sign,” Borges said. “Just speed bumps.”

To see more on Jimmy Borges, you can also view his guest appearance on Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox:

Jimmy Borges: The First Verse

Jimmy Borges: The Ballad Continues