Remembering Some of Those In Pan We’ve Lost in 2021 - calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington).

 When Steel Talks


Remembering the late Veteran Calypsonian Singing Sandra (Sandra Des Vignes-Millington) (1957 – 28 January 2021)


Singing Sandra before taking the stage with CYP (Caribbean Youth Panoramics) at the 2003 New York Panorama
Singing Sandra before taking the stage with CYP (Caribbean Youth Panoramics) at the 2003 New York Panorama

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SINGING SANDRA

REAL NAME: Sandra Des Vignes

DATE OF BIRTH: 1957

PLACE OF BIRTH: East Dry River, Port-of-Spain

EDUCATION: ...

CAREER: Sandra won the 1999 Calypso Crown with "Song for Healing" and "Voices from the Ghetto." She became part of history when Sanelle Dempster won the Road March title the same year. It was the first time in the history of calypso competition that both titles were won by female singers. She again won the Calypso Crown in 2003 with "For Whom the Bells Toll?" and "Ancient Rhythms." She placed 3rd in the 2005 Calypso Monarch competition with "Clean Heart" and "Judge Me Not." She placed 2nd in the 2006 Calypso Monarch competition with "Equal Justice" and "Too Much Ashes in the Urn."

Born in East Dry River, and raised in Morvant, DesVignes sang and acted as a child, including performances in 'Best Village' productions. She left school at the age of fifteen, taking on a succession of low-paid jobs.

She was approached in 1984 by calypsonian Dr. Zhivago to perform two of his songs, and the following year was recruited to Mighty Sparrow's Youth Brigade tent at the carnival. She won the National Calypso Queen title in 1987. She went on to win the Carifesta Monarch and Calypso Queen of the World titles in 1992. She performed at the Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1992, and subsequently formed the group United Sisters along with Lady B, Tigress, and Marvellous Marva. Sandra continued to perform as a solo artist and won the 'Best Nation Building Song' award, along with a $5,000 prize, at the 1997 carnival for the song "One Destiny One Heart".

She became only the second woman to win Trinidad's Calypso Monarch title, winning in 1999 with the songs "Song for Healing" and "Voices from the Ghetto". She finished in third place in 2000 and fifth in 2001. In 2003 she won the title for a second time, with "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Ancient Rhythm", winning a Honda Civic car and a $70,000 cash prize, becoming the first female calypsonian to win the title twice. She placed third in 2005 and second in 2006.

Singing Sandra - Die with my dignity


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