In a career of many milestones, tonight marks a special one for Bermudian singer, songwriter and recording artist Wanda Ray Willis as she hosts the first local launch of her newly-minted album, 'Here I Am', during a special reception at Greg's Steak House (The G Spot) in Hamilton.

In fact, the event is a double CD release party, since she is sharing the occasion with singer/songwriter Marcus Dagan, on whose latest album, 'Bermuda Sessions', (previously covered in the June 16 edition of Lifestyle) Ms Willis sings back-up on the track, 'All My Dreams are Gathered Safely In'.

Her 13-track album features 11 original songs written by Ms Willis, which she describes as "a compilation of songs written between 1990 and now". On one of them her brother, Eldon Raynor Jr., joins her, and another was inspired by watching the Bermuda/Bangladesh World Cup cricket match in Trinidad. The other two songs are covers: Willy Mitchell's 'Let's Stay Together' and 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow?' by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the latter being one of her favourite composers, pianists and artists.

"I wrote 'While We Are Waiting' while it was raining in Trinidad," the singer-songwriter relates. "Someone was handing out pocket Bermuda calendars and a friend handed me a copy saying, 'Here, use this'. I still have the map with the song written on two pages. When I arrived back in Los Angeles, I went straight to my keyboard. "

With her track to the song completed, Ms Willis decided she needed "an energetic male vocalist from the islands to give it a Caribbean feel," but she could hardly have imagined that she would find Trinidadian Dakeye to fill the bill through a chance encounter with the dreadlocked stranger, whom she overheard talking very loudly on his cellphone in her local bank. Instinctively, she knew he was a singer, and she was certain he was the man for whom she was looking.

She caught up Sakeye in the car park, where he said he was going on tour, but gave her the business card of his manager, and told her to check out his web site.

Arrangements were duly made for the singer to record the song, on which Ms Willis also sings, and she is delighted with the result. "It came out great," she says.

Regarding her cricket-themed song, the singer-songwriter believes she is "the first female Bermudian to write, publish, produce and release a song about Cup Match and cricket".

'Stuck on You, Baby' holds a special place in Ms Willis' affections because her brother, Eldon Raynor, Jr., a lead singer with the local band Jahstice, sings with her.

"It is so exciting because he has a wonderful voice," she says.

'Why do the Children have to Cry?' is also dear to the Bermudian's heart, because she says children "should be smiling".

Ms Willis describes 'Pain the Rain' the first track on the CD as a jazz ballad featuring Justin Whittaker on solo guitar, and she is very proud that all of the Bermuda songs were recorded at Just Platinum studios which is where she met Mr. Dagan, about which more presently.

In fact, she is delighted with the whole album, which she says is about her life experiences, particularly the love songs, and also features well-known musicians who work extensively in the industry. Some have toured with Diana Ross, and others enjoy movie and television credits.

"I love my CD. I just want to get it out there for as many people as possible to hear it and enjoy the music, especially the lyrics," she says. "Some of the songs are very inspiring to people, and very reflective. I hope people will want to hear it and either get close with someone, have fun listening in their cars or with their friends and take it to parties."

Ms Willis' chance meeting with Marcus Dagan proved serendipitous for them both. She had arrived in Bermuda with a batch of her new CDs, only to discover that they were all scratched. Through a friend, she retrieved the master from her home in Los Angeles, and walked in to Platinum Studios to have some albums made from it.

Mr. Dagan, who is an entertainer on the Norwegian Cruise Lines vessel, Norwegian Majesty, was at the same studio discussing his new CD, and was looking for a female singer to join him on 'All My Dreams are Gathered Safely In'.

The deal was done and tonight marks the joint celebration of their respective albums.

Born Wanda Raynor, the daughter of former Cup Match star Eldon Raynor, Sr., Ms Willis says she has been singing since she was "knee-high to a grasshopper" first at Tiny Tots Academy, then at Vernon Temple AME Church, where she often sang solos. Later she sang at weddings, funerals and other special events. As a student at Berkeley Institute, she was an active participant in concerts and plays, before going on to enjoy an active career here as a singer. Space does not permit listing all of the countless venues and bands at which and with whom she appeared. A sampling includes many performances at the then-Rosebank Theatre when she was the opening act for the Bill Paul Show, New Editions, Max Romeo and more, as well as Clay Smith's 'Bermuda Hollywood Revue' and Eddy DeMello's shows, and the national youth summit at which Jesse Jackson was the speaker. She was a member of the 'Essence of Love' group in the battle of the groups competition. Fame Expo honoured her with an award, at which she was also the featured soloist, and she was the singer with the Ghandi Burgess trio.

Singing in the Park for children at Christmastime as a fund-raiser for Hope Homes was one of her many charity-inspired contributions, charity events being something she particularly likes to do.

Ms Willis holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees: one in Music (voice), and the other in Speech Communications/Radio and TV production, as well as a Master's degree in Education Administration the latter in preparation for opening her own arts school some day.

"I really think the arts are necessary for a well-rounded education for children," she says of the concept.

Marriage to an American led to living in the US, where Ms Willis now calls Los Angeles "home", although she will soon become "bicoastal" in furtherance of her now twin careers of singing and acting. She does, however, make several trips to Bermuda during the year, some for professional purposes. During the 2006 Bermuda Music Festival she opened for the Stylistics, and also performed at the Fairmont Southmpton Princess resort on New Year's Eve. Immediately before that, she opened with Boney James, the famous saxophone, flute and horn player, at the Hollywood Roxy. On Sunday last, Ms Willis performed during Heritage Productions' Cup Match luncheon, at which legendary cricketers, including her father, were honoured, together with the marking of the Cup Match link with emancipation.

"When I tell people Bermuda is the only country that celebrates the emancipation from slavery with a two-day cricket match they say 'Wow'. I am very proud of that," the singer says.

As to how 'Wanda Raynor' became 'Wanda Ray Willis', apparently so many people when introducing her mutilated 'Raynor' that she shortened it to the pronounceable, while her married surname has been retained, although she is now divorced.

As for the future, her goal is to be the best at her craft.

* 'Here I Am' is available at the Music Box, Sound Stage and other outlets. Plans are being made for it to be available in the US at Starbucks and Borders Book Stores outlets, and on line at iTunes. Ms Willis' web site is www.wandaraywillis.com, and hlso er e-mail address is: wandalovechild@ sbc.net