Monica Trapaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monica Trapaga
Trapaga in July 2013
Background information
Birth name	Monica Maria Trapaga
Born	1965 (age 59–60) Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Jazz, children's
Occupation(s)	Singer TV presenter writer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1985–present
Labels	rooArt, PolyGram
Associated acts	Pardon Me Boys, Monica and the Moochers, Monica Trapaga and the Bachelor Pad

Monica Maria Trapaga, born in 1965, is a talented Australian TV presenter, jazz singer, and writer. She became well-known for hosting Play School from 1990 to 1998. She also sang the theme song for Bananas in Pyjamas starting in 1992.

From 1997 to 2003, Monica Trapaga was part of the TV show Better Homes and Gardens. On this show, she shared ideas about decorating homes. While working on Play School, she also recorded music albums for both children and jazz fans. She was a member of several music groups, including Pardon Me Boys, Monica and the Moochers, and Monica Trapaga and the Bachelor Pad. Since the early 2000s, she has owned shops in Summer Hill and Newtown.

Early Life and Family Background

Monica Trapaga was born in 1965 and grew up in Wahroonga, New South Wales. She was the youngest child in her family. Her father, Nestor Juan Trápaga, had Spanish and Chinese heritage. Her mother, Margot, born in 1935, was Spanish-American.

Monica's older siblings were all born in Manila, Philippines. Her eldest brother, Juan Ignacio, later became known as Ignatius Jones. He was a director for events, a journalist, an actor, and a performer. Her other siblings are Luis Miguel and Rocio Maria Trápaga. Her family moved to Sydney by March 1963. In 1991, Monica described her family as "fairly crazy Latin." She grew up surrounded by many types of music, like jazz, Latin, opera, and classical music. Her father especially loved jazz, including Afro-Cuban jazz.

Monica's Music Journey

In 1985, Monica Trapaga became the lead singer for a swing jazz band called Pardon Me Boys. Other members included William O'Riordan and her older brother, Ignatius Jones. They had both been part of the band Jimmy and the Boys. In February 1988, Pardon Me Boys released their first album, also called Pardon Me Boys. A reviewer from The Canberra Times said their singing was amazing. Monica left the band because she wanted to focus more on being a musician.

In July 1988, Monica started her own band in Sydney called Monica and the Moochers. This group played music from the late 1940s and 1950s. By November 1989, the band included Monica on vocals, Andrew Dickenson on drums, Julian Gough on tenor saxophone, Bernie McGann on alto saxophone, Adrian Mears on trombone, Alister Spence on piano, and Jonathon Zwartz on bass guitar.

Albums by Monica and the Moochers

Monica and the Moochers released their first studio album, Too Darn Hot, in August 1990. Michael Foster from The Canberra Times praised Monica's voice, saying it was powerful and versatile. He also noted that her band was very strong and talented. For this album, the Moochers included Dickenson, Gough, McGann, Mears, Spence, Mike Bukovsky on trumpet, and Dave Ellis on bass guitar.

In November 1991, their second album, Cotton on the Breeze, came out. Monica co-wrote some songs on this album with her husband at the time, Julian Gough. A reviewer mentioned that their live shows featured strong jazz, swing, and Latin songs, including those from Cotton on the Breeze. In 1992, Monica and the Moochers were nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album. They also performed at Sydney's first International Jazz Festival in January 1992.

In 2016, Monica was chosen to be the head judge for the Australian jury at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Monica's Family Life

Monica Trapaga has children. She married Julian Gough, a jazz saxophonist and musical director, who also played in her bands. They also have a child together. After they separated, Monica started dating Simon Williams, a lawyer who had children from a previous relationship. Monica and Simon got married in 2008. As of August 2013, they lived in a unique home that was once a flour mill.

Monica has also written cookbooks. In October 2009, she released She's Leaving Home: Favourite Family Recipes for a Daughter to Take on Her Own Life Journey. In March 2013, she co-wrote another cookbook with her daughter called A Bite of the Big Apple: My food adventure in New York.

Music Releases

Contemporary and Jazz Albums

Pardon Me Boys

• Pardon Me Boys (February 1988)

Monica and the Moochers

• Too Darn Hot (August 1990)
• Cotton on the Breeze (November 1991)

Monica Trapaga

• Sugar (2007) - La Brava Music

Monica Trapaga & the Bachelor Pad

• Girl talk – M. Trapaga

Children's Albums

• Monica's Tea Party (1993) – ABC Music
• Clap Your Hands (1994) – ABC Music
• Monica's House (1996) – BMG
• Monica's Seaside Adventure (1997) – BMG
• Monica's Trip to the Moon (1999) – Festival Kids
• Monica presents I Love the Zoo (2000) – Festival Mushroom

Children's Videos

• Monica's House (1996) – Monica and the Moochers
• Monica's Seaside Adventure (1997) – Monica and the Moochers
• Monica and George in the Magic Toyshop (1998) – Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• Monica's Trip to the Moon (1999) – Monica and the Moochers
• Kisses, Cuddles & Moonbeams (2000) – Monica and the Moochers
• I Love the Zoo (2000) – Buena Vista Entertainment

Awards and Recognitions

APRA Music Awards

ARIA Music Awards