Soul singer Ann Bridgeforth - born March 22, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois - was better known by her stage name Little Ann. She grew up in Mount Clemens, Michigan and performed at local clubs, changing her name to Little Ann when she began to get more gigs outside of town. In 1967, she recorded her first track “Deep Shadows” but it was never released. Two years later, she recorded an album’s worth of soul tracks but only one single, “Going Down a One Way Street,” was released from those sessions. Little Ann’s career was over before it began and she seemingly disappeared off the music industry’s radar. However, an acetate of a song seemingly titled “When He’s Not Around” - and credited to Rose Valentine - was discovered in England in the early 1980s and became an instant Northern Soul classic. The original master tape of that song - with the correct title of “What Should I Do?” and credited to Little Ann - was discovered in 1990 and issued as a single. Her first song, “Deep Shadows,” was discovered and released for the first time in 1998. Several other tracks were released on different compilations before they were all gathered together and released as the album Deep Shadows. Finally achieving recognition, Little Ann toured the UK and played to a new generation of fans. Sadly, Little Ann died on January 26, 2003, just as her talents were finally being recognized.
