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Playing piano by age four and violin by nine, Angela Johnson is a Utica, NY native whose family encouraged her musical journey through college and beyond. She later enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a violin major, where she met her future Cooly's Hot Box bandmate, John Christian Urich (Tortured Soul). Together, Angela and John released records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records as the eclectic soul and acid jazz band Cooly's Hot Box. Alongside her work with the band, Johnson pursued a solo career—her debut They Don’t Know (2002) and the breakout radio hit “Ordinary Things” helped distinguish her as a woman apart. Her music has been licensed across television, film, and advertising, including HBO’s The Wire, The Shield, Roswell, and others, and she has also appeared in commercial spots for Nissan and AT&T.…Playing piano by age four and violin by nine, Angela Johnson is a Utica, NY native whose family encouraged her musical journey through college and beyond. She later enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a violin major, where she met her future Cooly's Hot Box bandmate, John Christian Urich (Tortured Soul). Together, Angela and John released records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records as the eclectic soul and acid jazz band Cooly's Hot Box. Alongside her work with the band, Johnson pursued a solo career—her debut They Don’t Know (2002) and the breakout radio hit “Ordinary Things” helped distinguish her as a woman apart. Her music has been licensed across television, film, and advertising, including HBO’s The Wire, The Shield, Roswell, and others, and she has also appeared in commercial spots for Nissan and AT&T.

Angela Johnson

Film Composer, Music Composer, Songwriter, +6

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Playing piano by age four and violin by nine, Angela Johnson is a Utica, NY native whose family encouraged her musical journey through college and beyond. She later enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a violin major, where she met her future Cooly's Hot Box bandmate, John Christian Urich (Tortured Soul). Together, Angela and John released records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records as the eclectic soul and acid jazz band Cooly's Hot Box. Alongside her work with the band, Johnson pursued a solo career—her debut They Don’t Know (2002) and the breakout radio hit “Ordinary Things” helped distinguish her as a woman apart. Her music has been licensed across television, film, and advertising, including HBO’s The Wire, The Shield, Roswell, and others, and she has also appeared in commercial spots for Nissan and AT&T.…Playing piano by age four and violin by nine, Angela Johnson is a Utica, NY native whose family encouraged her musical journey through college and beyond. She later enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a violin major, where she met her future Cooly's Hot Box bandmate, John Christian Urich (Tortured Soul). Together, Angela and John released records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records as the eclectic soul and acid jazz band Cooly's Hot Box. Alongside her work with the band, Johnson pursued a solo career—her debut They Don’t Know (2002) and the breakout radio hit “Ordinary Things” helped distinguish her as a woman apart. Her music has been licensed across television, film, and advertising, including HBO’s The Wire, The Shield, Roswell, and others, and she has also appeared in commercial spots for Nissan and AT&T.

Available to hire

Playing piano by age four and violin by nine, Angela Johnson is a Utica, NY native whose family encouraged her musical journey through college and beyond. She later enrolled at SUNY Purchase as a violin major, where she met her future Cooly’s Hot Box bandmate, John Christian Urich (Tortured Soul).

Together, Angela and John released records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records as the eclectic soul and acid jazz band Cooly’s Hot Box. Alongside her work with the band, Johnson pursued a solo career—her debut They Don’t Know (2002) and the breakout radio hit “Ordinary Things” helped distinguish her as a woman apart. Her music has been licensed across television, film, and advertising, including HBO’s The Wire, The Shield, Roswell, and others, and she has also appeared in commercial spots for Nissan and AT&T.

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Work Experience

Band Member / Songwriter / Performer at Cooly’s Hot Box

December 31, 2004 - December 31, 2004

Collaborated with future bandmates and songwriting partner Christian Urich. The band earned an international reputation through dance hits including “We Don’t Have To Be Alone,” “What A Surprise,” and “Make Me Happy.” After signing deals with Polygram Records and later Virgin Records, the group released critically acclaimed work such as Take It (debut album) and later Don’t Be Afraid-Get On (Purpose). Johnson also honed production and songwriting skills through the group’s releases.

Songwriter / Collaborator at Various (e.g., Ghostface Killah, Wu-Tang Clan)

January 1, 2002 - Present

Wrote songs and collaborated with Ghostface Killah on his critically acclaimed album 36 Seasons, including tracks “Love Don’t Live Here No More” and “Bamboo’s Lament.” Also collaborated with Reel People, Black Violin, DJ Spinna, Dave Lee & the Sunburst Band, Josh Milan, Micky More & Andy Tee, Eric Roberson, Rahsaan Patterson, Gordon Chambers, Maysa Leak, Tim Bowman, and Japanese R&B superstar Double.

Solo Recording Artist at Angela Johnson

January 1, 2002 - Present

Released solo albums and singles including They Don’t Know (2002), Got To Let It Go (2005), A Woman’s Touch (2008), It’s Personal (2010), Revised, Edited & Flipped (2012), Naturally Me (2014), and Inclusion (2018). Her work includes radio hits and has been licensed for TV/film; she also collaborated with notable artists including Ghostface Killah.

Band Member (Cooly's Hot Box) at Cooly's Hot Box

January 1, 2002 - Present

Eclectic soul and acid jazz collaboration releasing records with Polygram Records and Virgin Records. Performed as part of the band while also building a solo career.

Solo Musician / Producer / Songwriter at Independent music (solo projects)

January 1, 2002 - Present

Released solo studio albums including They Don’t Know (Purpose) and Got To Let It Go (Purpose), earning radio and licensing placements on major TV shows such as HBO’s The Wire, UPN’s Kevin Hill, FX’s The Shield, and The WB’s Roswell. Also secured notable commercial placements, including Japanese Nissan car commercials. Built a distinct solo sound separate from Cooly’s Hot Box while continuing to produce and write music for other artists.

Music Producer / Songwriter (for other artists) at Various artists

January 1, 2001 - Present

Wrote and produced tracks for artists including Conya Doss (“Emotions”), Seek (“Journey Into Day”), Laurnea (“No Shame”), Monét (“Wanna Kiss You”), Reel People (“Can’t Stop”), and Japanese R&B superstar Double. For Double, Johnson helped deliver a top ten, gold-selling hit “Angel” (2001). Her producing/songwriting credits also earned performances and collaborations from respected peers such as Maysa, Frank McComb, Eric Roberson, Rahsaan Patterson, Gordon Chambers, Marlon Saunders, and Claude McKnight.