James Ingram whose baritone voice contributed bringin’ to the charts during the 80’s, has sadly lost his last battle this Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019 after sufering from brain cancer. He was 66, announced his long time friend, Debbie Allen, a few hours ago on her twitter account.
I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir. He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.❤️ pic.twitter.com/TDJfpbbJWa
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 29, 2019
A native of Akron, OH, James Ingram moved to L.A., CA, aged 19, in search of a musical career. There, he would get his first date as a keyboardist playing for the late Leon Haywood. He soon after formed his own band (Revelation Funk), eventually playing for Ray Charles later on. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Phillip Ingram, came to fame as a member of Motown group Switch.
James Ingram‘s fortune would get into another dimension. This after he came to the attention of Quincy Jones via a demo tape. The latter hiring him on his 1981 ‘The Dude’ album where he landed three songs. But also on Patti Austin‘s ‘Every Home Should Have One’ album. With the twosome delivering the memorable ‘Baby Come To Me’ as a duet.
This would be the start of a fruitful collab, with the Dude signin’ him on his own Qwest label via Warner. Jones and Ingram eventually writing together ‘P.Y.T.’ as a part of Michael Jackson‘s 1982 ‘Thriller’ album.
There are no words to convey how much my ❤️ aches with the news of the passing of my baby brother, James Ingram. With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James was simply magical. He was, & always will be, beyond compare. Rest In Peace my baby bro…You’ll be in my ❤️ forever pic.twitter.com/oZtA9h8uZR
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) January 29, 2019
James Ingram delivered his debut-album – ‘It’s Your Night’ – the year after. Eventually sharing the duties (this time) with Michael McDonald on ‘Yah Mo B There’. His follow-up – ‘Never Felt So Good’ – saw the light in 1986, generating a moderate success. An album which he co-produced with Keith Diamond, himself remembered for his collaborations with Billy Ocean and Starpoint among others.
James Ingram then made a quick foray into New Jack Swing in 1989 with the Teddy Riley produced ‘It’s Real’ (from the album of the name). Eventually contributing to ‘The Secret Garden’ as a part of the Quincy Jones‘ ‘Back On The Block’ album that same year. And he also eventually ventured into soulful/House territories along with Louie Vega and Kenny Dope on the 2001 released ‘Lean On Me’. This with Jocelyn Brown and Patti Austin providing the backing vocals…
Gone too soon: James Ingram
Indamixworldwide would like to express their deepest condolences to James Ingram‘s family and friends…
