James Ingram dead: R&B singer dies aged 66 'He will be remembered for his humanity'

James Ingram’s friend and collaborator Debbie Allen confirmed the news on Twitter, calling him her “dearest friend and creative partner”. “He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity,” she wrote. “I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.”

Ingram is best known for hits including Baby Come To Me with Patti Austin and Somewhere Out There.

In the 1970s, the Ohio-born star performed with Revolution Funk before going on to become a session artist for the likes of Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye.

During the period of 1982 until 1996, Ingram was nominated for a total of 14 Grammy Awards.

He scooped the gong for Best Male Vocal R&B Performance for One Hundred Ways, while his second win came in the form of his duet with Michael McDonald, Yah Mo B There, which earned them the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 1994 and 1995, he also received Oscar nominations for his theme songs from Beethoven 2 and Junior.

A multi-talented musician and producer, Ingram also worked closely with Quincy Jones.

His professional projects with Jones included co-writing Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T.

Last year, Ingram was absent from a tribute concert held in honour of Jones.

Austin performed their number one hit Baby Come To Me without him.

Ingram’s latest album, Stand (In the Light) was released last year.

Tributes have poured in for the R&B legend, with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright writing on Twitter: “Today we lost one of the finest people and voiced of our time, James Ingram.

“I’ve personally lost a dear friend. May God bless his family with strength, unity and understanding during these times.”

Singer Richard Marx also said: “RIP sweet James Ingram. Hearing your voice sing words and notes I made up is a gift I will cherish always. And I will never forget the laughs.”

“Sad news about James Ingram. My thoughts are with his family. RIP,” Boney James tweeted, while Siedah Garrett shared a picture of the pair of them together, saying: “Writing with you, touring with you, recording with you, laughing with you… I will miss you, one hundred ways.”

Shonda Rhimes retweeted Allen’s post, adding: “Sending you love. Today the world lost a genius.

“James Ingram was a musician, artist, and humanitarian. He will be remembered for his brilliance and kind heart.”

source: express.co.uk