A Cuban–Puerto Rican, she was born in New York City, New York, with a singing career which spanned more than three decades until a stroke in 2006, and another in 2007, rendered her unable to perform.
Bofill, with her first stroke at age 51, received a benefit concert to help pay her hospital and medical bills, due to lack of insurance, and she was living with family until her death.
She was one of Oscar- and Tony-winning actor Denzel Washington’s favorite singers.
Perhaps her most well-known albums were Angie and Angel of the Night, released in 1978 and 1979, co-produced by Grammy and Oscar winner Dave Grusin (who turns 90 on Wednesday). The first includes “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Baby, I Need Your Love" and, my favorite from this LP, “The Only Thing I Could Wish For.” The second includes “I Try” and the title track. (All five are featured below.)
Bofill sang Pop and R&B and Jazz. Quite a combination! She was sweet and soulful.
Her career took a nosedive in the late-1980s. According to information from the above video, Bofill was misdirected by Arista head Clive Davis. He wanted her to become something she was not: hollow and forgettable.
Perhaps much of this was thanks to the MTV music-video period. It was a rough time for many who were not natural stars for that environment. Bofill is and was a singer; not a spectacle.
I appreciated Angela Bofill for her voice and her versatility. She was, even when young, mature. (In an interview she mentioned her mother loved Dinah Washington and, of course, that Jazz singer had influenced Bofill.) She had impact. A good 40 years after peaking … what she did in her prime—in her music—is superior to most of what and who came after her.
Among survivors, Bofill has two adult children with her ex-husband, Country artist Rick Vincent, to whom she was married from 1984–1994.
Recommended sources:
• Angela Bofill On Creating Timeless Soul, Living Happily And Having Denzel As A Fan
• Singer Angela Bofill Dead At 70
The following are song selections:
