About DeeAnn
“It is truly my time now.” – DeeAnn.
The title of DeeAnn’s recent single “Simply Beautiful,” a sensual soul-blues twist on Al Green’s early 70’s classic, perfectly captures the spiritual/emotional growth she has experienced and the musical magic and career momentum the stylistic multi-faceted, multiple award-winning Buffalo singer-songwriter has created since releasing her perfectly titled debut album It’s My Time in 2023.
Building off the success of her sultry breakthrough track “Stay Here With Me,” DeeAnn’s 2025 got off to an inspiring start with numerous accolades in the 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll honoring musical greats in her beloved hometown. She was awarded Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year, received the most votes for the still very popular It’s My Time and was chosen runner up for the Most Memorable Performance and the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award. This extends a run of honors that began in her early days as a pop/rock and country singer, when she won Best Female Vocalist at the Buffalo Music Awards two years in a row. Since returning to the music scene as what she calls a “jazzy soul” singer in the mid-2010s, she’s also won Best Female Blues Vocalist at the Buffalo NightLife Music Awards and a Best Jazz CD nod from JazzBuffalo.org for her 2019 EP Stay Here.
In addition to expanding the scope of her well-established artistry, “Simply Beautiful” and DeeAnn’s latest single, “Kiss of Life” – a soulful, bluesy and jazzy arrangement of Sade’s iconic 1992 hit – launches a powerful, possibility-filled collaboration with her new producer Ted Perlman while laying the foundation for her upcoming album featuring both originals and pop re-imaginings from different eras.
Working with Perlman puts DeeAnn in the classic company of greats from many genres that he has produced, arranged, recording and toured with over the past five decades – including Whitney Houston, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Ronald Isley, The Manhattans, Jermaine Jackson, Edwin Hawkins, CeCe Winans, Brian Wilson, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Joe Cocker, Chicago and Young MC. DeeAnn and Perlman record at his Nashville based studio Station West, with Perlman contributing his searing electric guitar vibe alongside some of Music City’s heaviest hitters.
“With every artist,” DeeAnn says, “Ted takes the time to get to know the artist both personally and creatively and works tirelessly to get the best sound out of them. He’s brilliant and talented, not to mention hysterically funny. Besides helping elevate me to the next level in my career as a vocalist and songwriter, we have a natural rapport based on our mutual love of God.”
With its inspiring imagery of an angel coming down to earth to help facilitate joy and bring love into people’s lives, the theme of “Kiss of Life” aligns perfectly with DeeAnn’s personal spiritual journey. Likewise, the concept of her previous single “Stay Here With Me” extends beyond the realm of romantic longing as an expression of her grief and enduring love for her son William, who passed away in a motorcycle accident at 23 not long after she had completed most of the tracks of It’s My Time. When DeeAnn returned after an extended break to finish the album, she added a heartrending, gospel-influenced version of “You Are My Sunshine”, a song she sang to William to put him to sleep when he was a child.
DeeAnn laid the foundation for her newly burgeoning career with the cleverly titled 2017 collection Desperately Seeking DeeAnn, which, like It’s My Time, was produced by contemporary jazz bassist, RiShon Odel (Brian Culbertson, Najee). When her father, popular Buffalo area jazz performer Frank DiMeo, learned she was finally embracing what he felt was her destiny as a jazz singer, he was thrilled. Years earlier, he introduced her as a little girl to the music of Ella Fitzgerald and his favorite, Sarah Vaughan. DeeAnn invited him to sing two duets with her on the collection, “Unforgettable” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” She grew up learning standards that would eventually become part of her repertoire. In addition to Frank’s smooth vocal stylings she was inspired early on by Buffalo Blue Note legend, DoDo Green and attended multiple jazz jams.
DeeAnn performs every tune – let it be a favorite cover or her own compositions – with freshness, authenticity and a captivating voice. This is why we never know where the music will take us when we are in her presence. Making each performance feel like a new rendition of each song, DeeAnn keeps us all coming back to an experience that forever changes each time, like life itself. Hear her once and you will for sure keep coming back for more.” Lazara Martinez – PAUSA art house owner/artistic director