Angela Bofill dead at 70: Soul Train artist was known for hit songs ‘I Try’ and ‘Angel of the Night’

Angela Bofill, the artist known for singles such as ‘I Try’ and ‘Angel of the Night’, has died. She was 70.

Friend and manager of jazz musician Rich Engel announced her death in two posts on her Facebook on Friday page after Bofill died Thursday.

“ON BEHALF OF MY BEST FRIEND ANGIE, I AM SAD TO ANNOUNCE HER PASSING ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 13,” Engel wrote.

He announced that the funeral would take place on June 28 at 1:00 PM at St. Dominick’s Church in Valejo, California.

“Just to clear up the confusion,” he added in another message. ‘ON BEHALF OF SHAUNA BOFILL, HUSBAND CHRIS PORTUGESE, WE ARE SAD BUT MUST REPORT THAT ANGELA’S DEATH YESTERDAY IS INDEED TRUE.’

The jazz musician’s friend and manager, Rich Engel, announced her death in two posts on her Facebook page on Friday after Bofill died on Thursday; seen in 1984

Engel wrote: ‘WE THANK MELBA MOORE AND MAYSA FOR THEIR EARLY CONDOLENCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY POSTS. RICH ENGEL friend and manager.’

Her cause of death was not immediately made clear.

Bofill previously directed false reports of her 2020 death to Essence after finding out when she ‘many phone calls to confirm [if] it’s true.’

“Friends shouting, ‘Oh my God, am I talking to the ghost of Angela Bofill?!'” she recalled at the time. “Thank God it’s not true.”

After premature tributes from fans, Bofill said, “Of course, you should always welcome love. I thought, “They really like me!” [I’m just] laugh at it, really. It’s better to have a sense of humor.’

“My dad always said to me growing up, ‘When I die, you’ll have a big party,’” Bofill said in the interview.

‘I understand that now… But you don’t understand that [burying] “I haven’t yet,” she continued. “I got to stay here and see all these grandkids I have to finish high school and college. I love life.’

Bofill suffered two strokes in 2006 and 2007, which left her paralyzed on her left side, requiring speech and physical therapy.

She is survived by husband Chris Portuguese, daughter Shauna and her grandchildren.

Bofill previously made false reports of her 2020 death to Essence after finding out when she received ‘many calls for confirmation’ [if] it’s true’

After premature tributes from fans, Bofill said, “Of course, you should always welcome love. I thought, “They really like me!” [I’m just] laugh at it, really. It’s better to have a sense of humor

Bofill suffered two strokes in 2006 and 2007, which left her paralyzed on her left side, requiring speech and physical therapy; to be seen in 2022 with producer Narada Michael Walden

Born on May 2, 1954 in Brooklyn, the Cuban-Puerto Rican singer grew up in the Bronx and sang with New York’s All City Chorus in high school before studying at the Manhattan School of Music.

Bofill was known for songs such as ‘This Time I’ll Be Sweeter’, ‘Under the Moon and Over the Sky’ and ‘What I Wouldn’t Do (For the Love of You)’.

She was nominated for an American Music Award for Best Female R&B/Soul Artist in 1984, and in 2023 she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.

After Denzel Washington said Bofill was one of his favorite artists, she told Essence that he “went to see one of my Blue Note artists.” [shows] in New York, and I had never heard of him.

‘My assistant fainted, “Oh my God!” Denzel told me I was his favorite singer, [and I said]’Really and truly? Thank you so much!” she recalled.

Comedian Loni Love also paid tribute to Bofill after her death. “Sad to hear about the passing of Angela Bofill,” she wrote on Friday X, and added, “Thank you for the beautiful music. Now rest, Angela.”