Barbados may only be 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, but it has undoubtedly produced several talented individuals in a variety of fields such as music, art, business, science, and sport.

Many of these people sometimes go unnoticed, even by people on the island, but that does not minimise the achievements they’ve recorded or the heights they’ve reached.

In this series, Yello takes a look at Barbadians who have blazed a trail and made a long-lasting impact far beyond their island home.

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Jimmy ‘Senya’ Haynes was the first Barbadian to win a Grammy Award.

He was born in 1950, grew up in Shop Hill, St Thomas, and left Barbados for England with his family at the age of nine.

After arriving in the UK, Jimmy (whose real name is Cecil) quickly began developing his musical skills after being influenced by a Barbadian man called ‘Tarzan’ who he remembered from his childhood.

Speaking previously about this unlikely source of inspiration, Jimmy said: “There used to be a man called Tarzan in Shop Hill who drank a lot and at night, he would come out and play some of the sweetest calypsos. I remember as a kid looking through the window waiting for him to come around with his rum bottle and guitar.”

He added: “I loved to watch him play. When I went to England, my father asked me what I wanted and I said a guitar. I remembered [Tarzan’s’] finger positions from observing him and I played one of his songs at my school concert – I elaborated on it a little though.”

Jimmy did not take any music lessons but learnt to play the guitar by ear after hours of practicing on his own.

In 1986, Jimmy’s hard work paid off as he was recognised for his skills on the 1985 album ‘Babylon the Bandit’ by British Roots Reggae band ‘Steel Pulse’, which he produced and arranged. This success also made history as the group were the first non-Jamaicans to win a Grammy in the Best Reggae Album category.

Speaking about the award, Jimmy said: “My name is not the name that actually won the Grammy in terms of the artiste’s name ‘Steel Pulse’ but I put all that stuff together; I composed and played most of the stuff on it. That’s artistry.”

“Before then reggae wasn’t recognised as a music itself, it was seen as an ethnic thing.”

During the 80s and 90s, Jimmy continued to make waves on the international music scene from his Sparkside Studios in South London.

He was lead guitarist for the popular band Aswad and worked on all of their albums between 1981 and 1986. He was also the lead guitarist for The Equals where he stood in for Eddy Grant.

Over the years, Jimmy has split his time between Barbados, the US, Jamaica and the UK. He has also produced records for various local and international acts including fellow Barbadian Des’ree, Tracy Chapman and Damage.

Although his name might not be well known on his island home, there’s no doubt Barbadians should be proud of Jimmy and all that he has achieved in the music world.

Sources: Island Mix / Skiddle.com / Cougar Records