Shirley Ann was born and raised in Philadelphia and has been singing since the age of 9 and has never stopped. By the age of 12 Shirley Ann took up dancing, joining the world renowned Philadanco on North Preston Street, Philadelphia.

Once working to earn some money, Shirley approached Artie Singer and Denise Artzeroumain for vocal coaching. From this came an audition with Richard Barrett to join The Three Degrees as replacement to Sheila Ferguson. Here Shirley had to make a massive decision to become part of a trio or go it alone? Her determination to keep solo won through.

Around this period Vernon Earl Monroe had formed Pretty Pearl Productions with a roster of a number of singers. Earl arranged for Bunny Sigler, much-respected writer, performer, and producer of many of Philadelphia International hits to work with Shirley Ann, Bunny gave her possibly the most important advice one could ever give a young budding chanteuse…”Shirley - you can sing, but you need to express more feeling.”

These words no matter how painful have stood the test of time, some years later when she next met Bunny after one of her performances he said to Shirley “ You got it now. Oh wow, she’s got it now.”

While taking part in a talent contest Shirley was approached by Weldon McDougal III who released her debut release in 1991. A self-penned number called “Real Love” on a limited 12-inch vinyl release me with some success in England. Soul music fan, John Carrier interviewed Shirley for “On The Scene” music magazine. Universal Love Records released a 7 track CD called “Philadelphia Soul” in January 2007 with the objective of bringing Shirley Ann Slaughter to a much wider audience. This project brought together musicians Kae Williams (Arranger and Keyboards), Jimmy Williams (Bass), Bobby Bennett (Guitar), Richard Tucker (Guitar), Elliott Lavin (Saxophone), Eddie Holman JR (Drums), Larry Gold (Cello), Mike Tarsia, Montez, Gordon Rice (Studio and Mixing Engineers), Carla Benson (Background Vocals), with Production and Arrangements by Weldon A. McDougall III.

Shirley's career has included work with Deniece Williams, Brenda Holloway, The Emotions, Jack Ashford of The Funk Brothers, Barbara Mason, Freda Payne, The Floaters, The Manhattans, Kim Weston, Bobby Taylor, Bloodstone, New Birth, The Contours, Gregory D Moore, Billy Butler, Gene Chandler, Russ Faith, Gerald Veasley, Bunny Sigler, and Little Isidore & The Inquisitors and Alfie Politt.

Shirley has also performed at the prestigious Heros and Legends Awards in Los Angeles in 2005 & 2006.

Listen to some of Shirley's songs:

Don't Explain

I Still Love You

My Child