Ann Richards (singer)
Encyclopedia
Ann Richards was an American
jazz
singer
. She was born Margaret Ann Borden on October 1, 1935 in San Diego, California
. Richards, who began taking singing lessons at ten and was self-taught on the piano, appeared on the West Coast music scene in 1954. She had a short stint with Charlie Barnet
's band, and was later brought to the attention of Stan Kenton
by songwriter Eddie Beal
. Richards was with Kenton's band for a few months in 1955, and the two were married. The admiring Kenton helped her secure a contract with Capitol Records
. She was paired with conductor Brian Farnon and arranger Warren Baker for her debut album, 1958's I'm Shooting High. A duet album with Kenton, Two Much, was released in 1961. Kenton and Richards had two children, Dana and Lance, but separated in 1961. Richards created scandal when she posed for the June 1961 issue of Playboy
, subsequently signing a contract with the low-end label Atco Records
. The cover of her 1961 album Ann, Man! was taken from the shoot. Richards committed suicide on April 1, 1982 in Hollywood, California
, dying at age 46 from a gunshot wound.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
. She was born Margaret Ann Borden on October 1, 1935 in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Richards, who began taking singing lessons at ten and was self-taught on the piano, appeared on the West Coast music scene in 1954. She had a short stint with Charlie Barnet
Charlie Barnet
Charles Daly Barnet was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader.His major recordings were "Skyliner", "Cherokee", "The Wrong Idea", "Scotch and Soda", "In a Mizz", and "Southland Shuffle".-Early life:...
's band, and was later brought to the attention of Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
by songwriter Eddie Beal
Eddie Beal
Eddie Beal was an American jazz pianist. He was the brother of Charlie Beal....
. Richards was with Kenton's band for a few months in 1955, and the two were married. The admiring Kenton helped her secure a contract with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. She was paired with conductor Brian Farnon and arranger Warren Baker for her debut album, 1958's I'm Shooting High. A duet album with Kenton, Two Much, was released in 1961. Kenton and Richards had two children, Dana and Lance, but separated in 1961. Richards created scandal when she posed for the June 1961 issue of Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
, subsequently signing a contract with the low-end label Atco Records
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
. The cover of her 1961 album Ann, Man! was taken from the shoot. Richards committed suicide on April 1, 1982 in Hollywood, California
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
, dying at age 46 from a gunshot wound.
Discography
- I'm Shooting High (1958)
- The Many Moods of Ann Richards (1960)
- Ann, Man! (1961, re-issued 2002)
- Two Much (1961)
- Live...At the Losers (1964)
- I Hear Music: Recorded Live, 1957-1958 (1993)
- The Many Moods of Ann Richards/Two Much (compilation, ed. 2004)