Angela Bofill

[Edie Antoinette]

Angela Bofill ...has long been known and loved for her timeless interpretations of love and love’s despair through song. More than two decades after she settled into life as a successful recording artist, Angela Bofill continues to make the world her stage. From Japan to the Philippines to the Caribbean to Europe, Africa and here in the United States, all those who have witnessed this vocal powerhouse's live performances can testify that it is obvious the stage indeed belongs to Angela Bofill. As a matter of fact, the stage is her first love. The years 2000 and 2001 brought Angela full circle, returning her to theater performance with a starring role in the gospel play "God Don’t Like Ugly", performing her classic R&B hit songs Angel Of The Night and This Time I'll Be Sweeter. The fall of 2001 Angela starred in the gospel play "Looking For Mr. Doo Right". And in 2003 Angela continues to peform live theater starring in the play "What A Man Wants, What A Woman Needs". Angela spent the spring and summer of 2001 filming a movie in Philadelphia with film maker and director Phil Barnett. The film is based on a story about African-American detectives and cops in the 40’s called the Dick Anderson Squad. Angela plays the character of the well respected Mabel King, a former blues/jazz singer that owns an upscale jazz club in town. The film is scheduled for release in 2002. Born and raised in New York City by her Cuban father, who sang with Cuban bandleader Machito, and Puerto Rican mother, Angela and her sister were exposed to a variety of musical styles, from Aretha Franklin to Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. "Living in Harlem, if you didn’t have the latest James Brown and Supremes 45s, you weren’t hip. We always had Latin music playing in the house, as well as The Platters and Dinah Washington. I also listened to a lot of Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach. I was just floored by those gorgeous ballads." With a 3 1/2 octave range, Angela has been singing since she was 4 years old - professionally since the age of 15. During her early teens, Angela was a member of the New York’s All City Chorus. In high school she formed a group called the Puerto Rican Supremes. By the age of 18, she was an accomplished singer and songwriter, paying her way through school by performing with a local Latin band on weekends. Angela was also the featured lead soloist for the choral for the Dance Theater of Harlem, majored in theater at the Hartt School of Music and studied acting with Jean Shelton in San Francisco. She also holds a Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music where she was classically trained in opera. When she debuted in 1978 with her critically acclaimed self-titled album, Angie, the hits This Time I’ll Be Sweeter and Under The Moon And Over The Sky began the career of a young woman who’s unique blend of jazz fusion and soul established her as one of the top vocalist in both the pop and jazz world. Angie was first introduced to Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin (GRP), by good friend and flautist Dave Valentine. GRP a newly formed label in search of new talent listened to her demo and signed her immediately. In 1979, Angela released her second album Angel Of The Night. With hits like, What I Wouldnt Do (For The Love Of You), the title track, and two albums charting in the top ten for months, Angela's solo career was solidified. After touring the US and Europe for a year and a half, Angela was back in the studio. By this time Arista Records, headed by Clive Davis wanted Angela on their label and bought out her contract with GRP. Clive teamed Angela with Narada Michael Walden to produce her third album. Something About You released in 1981, was Angela's first commercial pop and R&B recording, with the title track charting at #21 and the dance hit Holding Out For Love at #26 on the R&B charts. Clive paired Angela with producer Narada Michael Walden again for her fourth album Too Tough. Angela, ready to be more involved in the creative process, wrote, arranged and produced the entire second side of the album. The first being produced by Narada in which Angela covered Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing as a duet with Boz Scaggs. The title track was the #5 R&B smash hit of 1983, and with the unforgettable ballad Tonight I Give In charting at #12, Angela was all over mainstream radio. With two songs in the top twenty, and previous chart toppers Angela had achieved international recognition, selling out tours in the US and abroad. By the end of 1983, Angela released Teaser her fifth album. Angela wrote the song You're A Special Part Of Me, which she recorded as a duet with Johnny Mathis. Working with producer Narada Michael Walden again, this would be their last Arista project together, earning Angela another top 20 single I'm On Your Side, and an American Music Award nomination for best female R&B. Settling comfortably in her recording career, Angela decided to move to California and started her family. "I'd gone to California several times for work and fell in love with the Bay area. Being a raw food vegetarian, we moved to a farm and I grew my own organic vegetables". In 1984, Angela achieved the biggest accomplishment of her life, the birth of a baby girl, Shauna. Releasing her sixth album, Let Me Be The One, produced by The System (David Frank & Mic Murphy) in the same year, Angela took a year off from promoting and touring to be a new mother. Angela recorded Tell Me Tomorrow in 1985, with producer George Duke before leaving the Arista label. After a three year hiatus from the recording industry Angela joined Capitol Records in 1988. "I was doing an record every year and it just got to be that I needed some ear space. I stopped to raise a family and decide which direction I wanted to move towards." Capitol teamed Angela with producers Norman Connors whom she had previously worked with and Vincent Brantley to record Intuition, a brilliant fuse of R&B, jazz and pop music. Intuition is a culmination of ten years as a solo artist, of a first phase. The 90’s brought about two more solo recordings, and countless projects with other artists and musicians, including Diana Ross, Patti Austin and saxophonist Kirk Whalum who was featured on the ballad Always A Part Of Me from Angela's I Wanna Love Somebody CD released on Jive Records in 1993. Love In Slow Motion released in 1996 on Shanachie Records is a collection of songs written by Angela and co-produced with Rex Rideout. "This record has more of my own compositions than any of my previous albums." Despite trends in the music industry, Angela continues to greet the world with a timeless sound, from her earlier recordings to the present. No stranger to the media, Angela has appeared on countless television shows including “The Tonight Show,” “Good Morning America” and several PBS specials alongside Bill Cosby and soul singer Peabo Bryson to name a few. A frequent radio personality on New York City radio stations CD101.9 FM and 98.7 KISS FM, Angela has co-hosted several times with mentor Isaac Hayes on his radio show for KISS FM. A consummate entertainer, this singing actress is ready to reach new horizons. Angela Bofill... a universal diva for the new millennium. Angela Bofill Suffers a Stroke The singer was released from intensive care Sunday following a Jan. 10 stroke. Tuesday, January 17, 2006 The "Angel of the Night," singer Angela Bofill is paralyzed on her left side following a stroke suffered on Jan. 10, her manager Rich Engel told us. Bofill is convalescing at Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa, CA. Bofill, 51, was released from intensive care on Sunday (Jan. 15) and will require speech and physical therapy, Engel said. A benefit concert has been organized to pay her hospital bills, as Bofill did not carry health insurance. The show will be held on March 11 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, N.J. Similar events are being planned for Detroit and Los Angeles, Engel said. We spoke with David Nathan of the R&B Foundation, who informed us that Bofill may just qualify for sorely need aid aid from the organization. He says that the wheels are grinding and if all goes well, she will receive assistance with medical bills ASAP. Meanwhile, well wishes and donations from fans should be sent to: Live At Night, P.O. Box 1140, Maplewood, N.J. 07040. Newest Update on Angela Bofill's Health As most SoulTrackers know, longtime soul music great Angela Bofill suffered a stroke in early 2006. Later that year she received the SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award and appeared to be on her way to recovery. Unfortunately, on July 10, 2007, Angie suffered another massive stroke and was in critical condition for quite awhile. Her fans continued their prayers for her and benefit concerts were held to help Angela (who was ininsured) pay for treatments and physical therapy. In early February, 2008, I contacted Rich Engel, Angela's longtime manager, to find out how her recovery was going. Rich, who has steadfastly continued to help Angie during this time, sent the following note to SoulTrackers: Angela remains in a nursing facility in Vallejo, California. Her speech has come back somewhat, although she still struggles. Angela can not walk as of yet, and is getting therapy through state assistance. She has good motor skills on her right side, but little to no feeling on her left side. Her face was not affected. Her mother Carmen, sister Sandra, and daughter Shawna, take her out to dinner every weekend. However, she still requires twenty-four hour care. Angela's spirits are remarkably good, and she really misses her fans. We are still selling her live CD's and stuff on her web site. We are putting out a call for anyone who may have old footage of Angie, for a possible documentary DVD. Angela has not forgotten the generous support and love she has received from her family of friends. With my best regards to all. Rich. NEW UPDATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2008 Good news. Angela is now able to walk about fifty feet, with the use of a leg brace, and a one handed walker. Her speech has improved, and her spirits are much better. She still is in the nursing home. Thanks to her fans she is getting the extra therapy she needs. A special thanks to Soul Tracks for keeping her name out there. With kindest regards, Rich Engel. We ask SoulTrackers for your continued prayers for Angela's recovery. Also, please check out her website, where the proceeds of sales of her merchandise are being used to help support Angie's recovery. Click Here to read more about Angela Bofill. Photo taken at 2007 benefit concert in New Jersey   play Angela Bofill — 12 Tonight I Give In play Angela Bofill — 11 Angel of the Night play Angela Bofill — 05 Under the Moon and … play Angela Bofill — 04 What I Wouldn't Do … play Angela Bofill — 03 This Time I'll Be S… play Angela Bofill — 02 I Try play Angela Bofill — 01 Still in Love

[Tonya Anderson]

I'm glad to hear that Angela Bofill is making some progress on her health. The song, "I Try" never fails to give me chills. The first time I heard this, I was only a little girl but it moved me - I had no idea what she was singing about but I felt it through her voice.

[Edie Antoinette]

I'm glad you were here--I've fixed the music player...I hope you come back, and thank you Tonya.

[Tonya Anderson]

Yes, Yes! You know that I will be back. LOL!!!

[KnightD12]

Nice selection of songs Edie. Especially "I Try" and "Tonight I Give In". The whole set is perfect 'curl up on da couch wit your woman' ....on a rainy weekend music. :)

[Edie Antoinette]

Thanks Gene! I love Angie Bofill..she was a master before that stroke :( We have her music though..I'm glad for that.