Bermuda's only female band leader Wendy Flood has gone solo. It seems to be her "Destiny", capping a career in the music and entertainment world which began 38 years ago. That's when she started performing at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel with the Ghandi Burgess Orchestra.

Ten years later she took over as group leader and manager of the band "Paradise" which like Ghandi's orchestra performed mainly for tourist conventions and frequently at local charitable events. Paradise was the house band at the Elbow Beach Hotel for many years.

Now Wendy, sounding more mellow than ever and looking just as charming in her grandmotherly years has made her solo debut CD with songs of her choice from her wide repertoire of gospel, jazz and ballads.

"This is the real deal," Wendy said with a smile, adding she had put lots of time and money in the project. It took me 38 years, but I could not be happier."

"Finally" is the apt title of the CD, produced by Dainavon Tuzo. Backing Wendy on the CD are three extremely talented young Bermudians, McCartney Darrell, Chandra Maybury and Cindy Smith.

Over the past nine years, Wendy, or Mrs. Robinson which is her"offstage title", has done considerable charity work, most notable being her annual charity super cruise raising funds for Agape House, PALS, MS Society, Ostomy Association, Allan Vincent Smith Foundation and St. Paul AME Church Organ Fund.

St. Paul AME which is her church, I currently undergoing major renovations. She is contributing part proceeds from the sale of finally towards that project.

She considers this gesture as recognition of the influences in her musical career by her piano teacher, the late Thyra Bascome and Ghandi Burgess.