Profiles

Derek Sandy arrived on the Isle of Wight from his native Trinidad and Tobago six and a half years ago.  

Despite not planning to stay for more than a few months, he needed to work so he turned to singing - in doing so, he seems to have brought some Caribbean sunshine to the Island.

The 45-year-old singer-songwriter now describes himself as the "local Bob Marley", his reggae and Motown-inspired tracks going down a storm at traditional Island events like Cowes Week, the Old Gaffers Festival and the Garlic Festival:  "I always bring a real vibrant energy - from the youngest kid to the oldest person." 

Welcome

Derek wanted to "give something back to the Isle of Wight" so, needing a final song for his new album, he came up with the line "Welcome to the Isle of Wight, I hope you'll stay a while." 

The video for Welcome to the Isle of Wight

Within a couple of hours, Derek's partner Katy has written the lyrics and he was soon in the studio recording what has become the most popular track on the album.

The video was shot with Derek, bathed in sunshine, performing the lilting reggae track  in some of the the Island's best known landmarks and attractions.

Since appearing on YouTube, it has clocked up over 13,000 views and comments from as far afield as Australia.

"It's incredible.  It makes me feel so proud and so good," says Derek. In fact he maintains the local tourist authorities should use the track as an anthem to promote the Island. 

Caribbean vibe

Derek says the Isle of Wight has more in common with the Caribbean Islands where he grew up than people might imagine:

"In a way the culture is different but the Isle of Wight reminds me of back home - the beaches, the tourists.  Tobago is like the Isle of Wight - very laid back."

Derek started his musical career in the tough surroundings of 1970s Tobago.

The video for Welcome to the Isle of Wight

He was singing in his local church from the age of five and he later joined a band called the Trinidad Troubadours which supported artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, Lionel Richie and the Commodores and Billy Ocean on their Caribbean tours.

Supporting Bob Marley the year before the legendary reggae star died was a particular inspiration to Derek: "I'm not the best, but I'm good at what I do.  I always knew there was something there and now the dream is coming true, I'd like it to go further."

With the album, Dancing in Heaven having steady downloads Derek has a busy schedule of regular gigs at  Driftwood in Sandown, as well as limbo dancing, and even performs at Caribbean-themed weddings.

In the mean time, he's hoping 'Welcome to the Isle of Wight' will become the Island's own calypso classic.