Ann Sweeten displayed an early interest in the keyboard, and her mother gave her a Hammond organ when she was six. Three years later, she received a Baldwin piano for Christmas. She studied privately with David Sokolof, then attended Smith College, from which she graduated cum laude with a degree in foreign languages. Next, she took vocal lessons and founded a rock band called Fall Out. After two years, she returned to academia, attending the Boston Conservatory where she studied music, acting, singing, dance, and musical theater. She moved to New York, joined the actors union, and began getting parts in stage musicals, while also playing piano in clubs and restaurants. Starting in 1997, she began releasing new age piano albums on her own Orange Band record label. Prism was followed by Passage, Christmas Presence, Reflections, and Sapphire Days. Both Reflections and Sapphire Days were moderate hits at modern instrumental radio in North America. A Place in the Sun followed in 2005. Sweeten is also a voting member of The Recording Academy and a ASCAP Popular Awards Recipient for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
