Forbidden City (nightclub) - Notable Performers

Notable Performers

A number of Asian American musicians, actors, and other celebrities either started their professions at the Forbidden City, or are famous for performing there. During the early years of the club the performers' salaries, modest as they were, provided rare employment opportunities for Asian-Americans suffering under the discriminatory laws of the time.

  • Jack Soo got his break in Flower Drum Song when he was discovered working there as MC, and was eventually cast as the MC and night club owner in the Broadway musical and film, and later became one of the most prominent Asian American actors.
  • Larry Ching, the "Chinese Frank Sinatra" performed here, from shortly after the club opened until shortly before it closed.
  • Noel Toy, the "Chinese Sally Rand", performed a burlesque fan dance and bubble dance.
  • Katy de la Cruz, the "Queen of Filipino Jazz", was a top-billed performer during the late 1940s to early 1950s.
  • Dorthy Sun Murray- aka 'Dottie' known for her long legs and comedy dance performances
  • Toy Yat Mar, the "Chinese Sophie Tucker".
  • Stanley Toy, the "Chinese Fred Astaire".
  • Dorothy Fong Toy, the "Chinese Ginger Rogers".
  • Ah Hing, the "Chinese Harry Houdini".
  • Charlie Low, owner, often served as MC, entertained celebrity guests, and took part in comedy skits.
  • Li Tei Ming, singer (Charlie Low's wife).
  • The Tai Sings, ballroom dancers.
  • Frances Quan Chun Kan, featured singer.
  • Larry and Trudie Long, "The Leungs," nightclub act

JIMMY BORGES a.k.a. "JIMMY JAY" was the popular crooner at Forbidden City from 1957 through 1959 when he went to Las Vegas to star in "HOLIDAY IN JAPAN", A Steve Parker/Shirley MacLaine Production. Jimmy Borges, discovered at The Forbidden City, replaced James Shigeta as the Las Vegas' show's star. In the same manner, Jimmy followed Larry Ching into Forbidden City. Both Jimmy and Larry are Hawaiian-born artists except Jimmy Borges was Portuguese, Hawaiian and Chinese. Jimmy's style of singing was a bit more jazzier, sounding like a cross between Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra but uniquely his own. Jimmy continues to perform in symphony POPS concerts around the world (Florida, New Zealand, Honolulu, San Diego, etc.) to this day at the age of 74

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