Betty Loo Taylor, the incomparable first lady of jazz often called “Lady Fingers” because of her wizardry at the piano, is out of commission due to a recent stroke.
The good news: She is out of an intensive care unit and recuperating at a rehab facility in Honolulu.
The bad news: She has paralysis on her right side, which has affected her speech, according to her daughter, Karen Lindsey. Everything considered, Taylor is in good spirits, though she’s not likely to play the piano anytime soon.
Taylor managed to trade health updates via phone calls with her longtime Trappers musical buddy, Jimmy Borges, who on Monday lost his battle with lung cancer. They had joshed about who might be the first to enter the pearly gates — and hold space for the other.
Taylor is a Punahou classmate of singer Joy Abbott. Together, their “For All We Know” CD copped a 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for best jazz album.
Abbott has health issues, too, and was undergoing scrutiny last week at Temple University Hospital, where a hairline fracture was discovered in her right femur. No surgery was required, but Abbott faces rehab for the next six weeks to enable the fracture to self-heal. Thus, she had to cancel two appearances here this month — a Punahou 175th birthday party on campus Thursday and a Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association cabaret show that embraces Arcadia’s recent “Follies” show, on June 25 at Kaimuki High School Auditorium. She hopes to return to her Honolulu condo by August for more R & R. …
PERSONALITIES: Alex (aka Alx) Kawakami will be in town to promote his new single, “Single” (with collaborator Eric Berdon), composed for his bride, the former Sarah Noyle. It’s a sweet postcard with charm to spare, plus homey from-the-heart lyrics (“You mean the world to me, I will always try to make you smile”) ideal for bliss-filled newlyweds. Alex will do a solo gig (and share the ditty) from 3-5 p.m. June 15 at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Hotel, followed by a one-night appearance with the family trio, Manoa DNA, from 6-9 p.m. June 25, same place. Alex is the A, dad Lloyd Kawakami is the D and brother Nick is the N in DNA. The group had curtailed its Waikiki shows because Alex now lives in Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. …
Jack Cione, former impresario of burlesque and strip club shows back in the day, departed for Las Vegas for a Burlesque Hall of Fame gathering winding up today at the Orleans Hotel. He will be honored as an icon in burlesquedom, and will get to reconnect with legendary luminaries of peeling Tempest Storm and Rusty Warren. Cione’s recent show triumphs have been G-rated — the “Follies” spectacle, which just ended a sold-out, three-weekend run at the Arcadia Retirement Residence, and the “Kopy Katz” revue of Waikiki stars of the past at the Hale Koa Hotel. …
DATEBOOK: Viola Davis, star of such films as “Doubt” and “The Help” and a principal on TV’s “How To Get Away With Murder,” will be the female recipient of the Navigator Award at the 2016 Maui Film Festival June 15-19 in Wailea. She adds stardust to the film festival, which also salutes the earlier-announced male recipient of the Navigator honor, Bryan Cranston. …
The Chance ‘Um Tour reuniting comedians Augie T with Mel Cabang and Frank De Lima continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Naniloa Crown Room in Hilo, June 24 at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu in Kona, July 1 at the Maui Beach Hotel on Maui and July 2 at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on the Big Isle. Andy Bumatai had to bow out because he’s fighting cancer at the base of his tongue and in his lymph nodes on the side of his neck. Visit augiet.com. …
CLUBLICITY: Jake Shimabukuro, the first local to perform at the Blue Note Club at the Outrigger Waikiki this past January, makes a three-night return June 29, 30 and July 1.
Other upcoming isle acts: Hot Club of Hulaville, June 13; Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawaii, June 20; Willie K, June 21, July 5 and Aug. 2; Paula Fuga, June 22; Darren Benitez, June 27; Little Albert Maligmat, June 28; Aidan James, July 11; Kuana Torres Kahele, July 18 and Oct. 31; Keahi Conjugacion, July 25; Kimie Miner, Aug. 5-7; Ron Artis, Aug. 29; and Anuhea and Friends, Nov. 22-28. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com.
