People named Ann Dee

Ann Dee, a singer and San Francisco club owner who helped boost the careers of Johnny Mathis and other entertainers, has died. She was 85. Dee died March 22, 2005 at her home in Joshua Tree, Calif., of unspecified causes. Born Angela Maria De Spirito, Dee had some success in her youth as a cabaret and supper club singer. But for several years, she suffered vocal problems. During that period, she became better known as the owner of Ann's 440 Club in San Francisco's North Beach area, where she showcased young singers and comedians. In 1955, she hired a 19-year-old named Johnny Mathis after hearing him sing in a bar just two weeks into his professional career. Columbia Records' George Avakian was persuaded to visit the 440 Club to hear Mathis and signed him to a recording contract. Dee also gave early exposure to entertainers Lenny Bruce, Fran Jeffries, T.C. Jones and Charles Pierce. By the 1960s, Dee had regained her singing voice and, in addition to recording for Capitol, had long engagements at such venues as Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills. The late Times critic and jazz expert Leonard Feather, reviewing one of those engagements in 1968, said Dee lacked emotional involvement and "stresses force rather than feeling." But another Times writer, reviewing her performance at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in 1973, praised her as "a sophisticated singer with a big, belting voice, fine vocal technique and great interpretive skill." He called her delivery of "Free Again" a "masterpiece of irony" and her singing of "Send in the Clowns" an example of "pure class." Dee is survived by a brother, Lee De Spirito.

Ann Dee of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California was born on May 10, 1909, and died at age 78 years old in June 1987.

Ann R Dee of Scottsdale, Maricopa County, AZ was born on December 29, 1914, and died at age 82 years old on March 13, 1997.

Ann Dee of Lenexa, Johnson County, KS was born on March 14, 1925, and died at age 82 years old on March 17, 2007.

Ann M Dee of Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County, CA was born on November 9, 1920, and died at age 84 years old on March 22, 2005.

Ann Dee of Buffalo, Erie County, NY was born on April 20, 1908, and died at age 68 years old in April 1976.

Ann Dee of Oviedo, Seminole County, FL was born on April 10, 1909, and died at age 77 years old in May 1986.

Ann M Dee of Brooklyn, Kings County, NY was born on April 7, 1908, and died at age 87 years old in April 1995.

Ann Dee of Worcester, Worcester County, MA was born on July 27, 1893, and died at age 88 years old in October 1981.