Mona Baptiste
| Mona Baptiste | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 21, 1928 Trinidad |
| Died |
June 25, 1993 Krefeld |
| Genres |
Calypso Blues |
| Occupation(s) |
Singer Actress |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1949–1971 |
Mona Baptiste (1928––1993) was a Trinidad-born singer and actress in London and Germany.[1] She was largely popular from songs like Calypso Blues and There’s Something in the Air.[2] She also acted in multiple musical films like Tanz in der Sonne.[1]
Life & Career
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Originally born in Trinidad on June 21, 1928, Baptiste emigrated to London in 1948 on the MV Empire Windrush. While she presented herself as a clerk to London immigration, she began working towards her singing career very soon after.[3]
Over the next few years, she appeared in the British music magazine New Musical Express for events such as signing with Cab Kaye to sing with the Cabinettes, appearing on the television show Coloured Follies, and appearing on the British radio variety show Brandbox in 1949.[4][5][6] She also started singing at Quaglino’s Restaurant and their Allegro to great success in 1950.[7][8] In 1951 she worked Ted Heath’s band and other jazz groups, and recorded her version of Calypso Blues, a song originally performed by Nat King Cole.[9]
In Germany she gained recognition for her popular songs like There’s Something in the Air and movie appearances in films like Tanz in der Sonne and An jedem Finger zehn in 1954.[2][1] Baptiste later retired after her husband died, but tried to make a comeback in the 1970s.[2] However, her comeback was unsuccessful.[2] She died of natural causes on June 25th, 1993 in Krefeld, Germany.[10]
Discography
- 1953: Merci Beaucoup / Wer Mich Küßt, Ist Gefangen (Shellac, 10")
- 1954: Wo Ist Der Eine ? / Ja, Das Küssen (7", Single)
- 1954: Mona Baptiste, Bully Buhlan, Michael Jary Film-Orchester* - Es Liegt Was In Der Luft / Liebesgeständnis (Aber Bei Nacht) (Shellac, 10", Single)
- 1955: O Jackie-Joe (7", Single, Mono)
- 1956: Mona Baptiste Presents (7", EP)
- 1956: Mona Baptiste, Bully Buhlan - Eine Frau Muß Man Küssen (7", Single)
- 1956: A Woman's Love Is Never Done / You're Wrong, All Wrong (Shellac, 10")
- 1956: Mona Baptiste Presents Volume 2 (7", EP)
- 1956: Vorbei... / No, No, No (7", Single)
- 1957: Mona Baptiste, Roberto Del Gado Y Su Conjunto* - Tales Of The Caribbean (7", EP)
- 1959: Die Mädchen Aus Der Mambo-Bar • Boy, Komm Und Küß Mich (7", Single, Mono)
- 1970: When Joey Comes Around / Baby, This Is Fate (7")
- 1971: Come And Live In My World (7", Single)
Filmography
- 1954: Tanz in der Sonne
- 1954: An jedem Finger zehn
- 1955: Stern von Rio
- 1956: Symphonie in Gold
See also
References
- 1 2 3 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0052671/bio
- 1 2 3 4 Germany, SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg,. "GESTORBEN: Mona Baptiste - DER SPIEGEL 27/1993". www.spiegel.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-03-28.
- ↑ McKay, George (2005-11-02). Circular Breathing: The Cultural Politics of Jazz in Britain. Duke University Press. ISBN 082238728X.
- ↑ CAB KAYE SIGNS MONA BAPTISTE. (1949, Mar 18). Musical Express (Archive: 1948-1952)
- ↑ MONA BAPTISTE ON TELEVISION. (1949, Jul 08). Musical Express (Archive: 1948-1952)
- ↑ MONA BAPTISTE'S FIRST APPEARANCE ON BANDBOX. (1949, Dec 30). Musical Express (Archive: 1948-1952)
- ↑ MONA BAPTISTE FOR QUAG'S. (1950, Mar 24). Musical Express (Archive: 1948-1952)
- ↑ MONA BAPTISTE. (1950, Apr 14). Musical Express (Archive: 1948-1952)
- ↑ Kelley, R.; Tuck, S. (2016-02-22). The Other Special Relationship: Race, Rights, and Riots in Britain and the United States. Springer. ISBN 9781137392701.
- ↑ Webmaster. "Mona Baptiste - Jack Good's Oh Boy!". Retrieved 2017-03-28.