DEPARTED GREAT ICONS: JAMES INGRAM

James Ingram (1952–2019) was an influential American R&B and pop singer-songwriter and record producer, renowned for his soulful baritone and multi-faceted career.

Born February 16, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, the third of six children. Raised in a musically inclined, church-going family; he was largely self-taught on piano, drums, bass, and guitar.

Joined Revelation (Revelation) Funk, opening for the Ohio Players, and relocated to Los Angeles in 1973.

After the band parted ways, Ingram stayed behind to pursue music.

Ingram gained early attention by singing demos, which led Quincy Jones to invite him onto The Dude (1981), featuring the standout tracks “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways”.

This collaboration earned him his first Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

He co-wrote “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” with Jones for Michael Jackson’s Thriller and lent his vocals to the 1985 charity single “We Are the World”.

Debut solo album It’s Your Night (1983) produced by Jones reached Gold status, spawning hits like the Grammy-winning duet “Yah Mo B There” with Michael McDonald.

Teamed with Patti Austin on “Baby, Come to Me” (1982), which surged to No. 1 after featuring on General Hospital.

Scored his first solo No. 1 with “I Don’t Have the Heart” in 1990.

Duet with Linda Ronstadt, “Somewhere Out There”, from An American Tail (1986) hit No. 2 on Billboard and won Song of the Year at the Grammys.

Earned Oscar nominations for “The Day I Fall in Love” (Beethoven’s 2nd, 1993) and “Look What Love Has Done” (Junior, 1994).

14 Grammy nominations, 2 wins (“One Hundred Ways” and “Yah Mo B There”).

Two Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations.

Collaborated with legends like Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Pointer Sisters, Dolly Parton, and Anita Baker. 

Continued touring internationally well into the 2000s.

Released his final album, Stand (In the Light) (2008), a gospel-infused project produced by Quincy Jones.

Passed away on January 29, 2019, in Los Angeles after a battle with brain cancer at age 66.

Nancy Jones remembered him as having “a soulful, whisky‑sounding voice” and “a heart the size of the moon”.

Ingram’s career journey took him from humble Akron roots to international acclaim.

He left a rich legacy as a vocalist, composer, and collaborator.

His voice and songwriting continue to resonate through timeless classics and iconic film soundtracks.

All information from Googles.