Downloaded MySQL 8.0 [latest] as it still had Workbench. Set it up and Workbench works perfect with DB user uid in addition to root user. Trying to then use PS SimplySQL module:

Import-Module -Name SimplySql
$port = 3306  
$server = "127.0.0.1"
#$server = "localhost"  #also fails if used
$connName = "MySQL"  #valid, tested connection name
$uid = "root"
$pw = "8R?suppr1943" 
$db = "sakila"
$pw1 = ConvertTo-SecureString -String $pw -AsPlainText -Force
$creds = [pscredential]::new($uid, $pw1)

$sqlConnect = Open-MySqlConnection -ConnectionName $connName -Server $server -port $port -Credential $creds -Database $db

Get error 'cannot connect to server'.