Mona Baptiste has been played on NTS shows including Questing w/ Zakia, with Calypso Blues first played on 11 December 2016.

Mona Baptiste (June 21, 1928 – June 25, 1993) was a Trinidadian singer and actress in London and Germany. She was largely popular from songs like Calypso Blues and There’s Something in the Air. She also acted in multiple musical films like Tanz in der Sonne.

Born in Trinidad, Mona 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.

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. She also started singing at Quaglino’s Restaurant and their Allegro to great success in 1950. 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.

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. Baptiste later retired after her husband died, but tried to make a comeback in the 1970s. However, her comeback was unsuccessful. She died on June 25th, 1993 in Krefeld, Germany.

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)