Ann Richards was a better singer than she was often rated but her career fell short of its potential. She was self-taught on piano and started taking singing lessons when she was ten. Richards began singing professionally in the San Francisco Bay area and had a short stint with Charlie Barnet. Richards joined Stan Kenton's band for a few months in 1955; they were married and she was a part-time singer throughout their marriage (which lasted until 1961). When their marriage ended (a breakup that she never really recovered from), Richards recorded a few pleasing and swinging albums on her own for Capitol, Atco and Vee Jay; however, Richards' life became aimless, and she committed suicide at age 46. ~ Scott Yanow