 Sicilian charmer
Unsurprisingly for such a dramatically situated place bridging the divide between Europe and Africa, Sicily has over the centuries produced some pretty spectacular men and women. And though we may delight in the myths and stories from the past, the island can still lay claim to the odd living legend, and one of these is Chico Scimone, resident and unofficial ambassador of the east coast's prettiest resort, Taormina.
Like many southern Italians, Chico's father had emigrated to America and Chico was in fact born in Boston, Massachusetts. More unusually however, the family returned to Sicily and to Taormina when Chico was only 18 months old. But despite the brevity of his stay, the spirit of the country certainly seems to have entered his blood. He was fully bitten by the music bug, and in fact returned to the States, first to study at the New England Conservatory and later to manage nightclubs in New York and Boston.
But inevitably he returned to his beloved Sicily, and with his brother Egisto and his sister Amelia, Chico brought the glamour of Hollywood, Italian style, to Taormina, making it one of the most popular and star-studded hot spots in Europe. With friends like Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman, musician Chico had brought the silent movies to life with his accompanying soundtracks in the local cinema, and now brought Sicily to life in the nightclubs and restaurants of Taormina. The family opened their own club, the legendary Giara, where Amelia and her brothers would serenade the international jet set with their swinging jazz performances. Alain Delon, Liz Taylor, Peter O'Toole, Sofia Loren were just a few of the members of the artsy, wealthy crowd that enjoyed the fabulous atmosphere. 'La Dolce Vita' was never so sweet.
And though he has lived long enough to see the culture and lifestyle that he embodied recreated in period pieces like Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mister Ripley, Chico has no time for nostalgia. Not only does he still perform in the elegant piano bar of the San Domenico Hotel, seventy years since his first performance there, but he's also busy with, wait for it, marathons. Though an injury put paid to his running, Chico is now a speed walker who takes part in competitions all over the world, including the annual speed climb up the steps of the Empire State building. By contrast his daily exercise routine, a jog from his hilltop haven, 'il mio paradiso' as he calls it, down the mountain to the village and into the sea for an early morning dip, seems like child's play to this inspirational 89 year old. Links
Taormina
Guide to the town, including some stunning photos of the coast and of Etna. Empire State Building
Details on the run up the Empire State building.
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