b. James Edward Ingram, 16th February 1952, Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.
d. 29th January 2019, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
James Ingram is a singer, keyboardist and songwriter, probably best remembered for his and Patti Austin’s duet, ‘Baby Come To Me’.
James was born in Ohio, relocating to Los Angeles as a young man.
In Los Angeles, he performed with his group, Revelation Funk.
He also took to opportunity to play keyboards for Ray Charles (he played keyboards for Leon Haywood, as well), before setting out on his own solo career.
James’ brother, Phillip, was part of the Motown group, Switch.
He also served as demo singer for various publishing companies, an occupation that led to his meeting and working with Quincy Jones.
In 1981, James had the opportunity to provide vocal input to Quincy’s album, ‘The Dude’.
James sang on the songs ‘Just Once’ and ‘One Hundred Ways’.
He was awarded triple Grammy nominations, which included a nomination for Best New Artist.
it's your night - 1983 / never felt so good - 1986 / it's real - 1989 / always you - 1993
In 1983, he released 'It's Your Night', an album that eventually realized the hit single 'Ya Mo B There’.
James collaborated with many major artists at this time, including Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Viktor Lazlo, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, the Brothers Johnson and Kenny Rogers.
In 1990, he released the album ‘It’s Real’, which featured the ballad ‘I Don't Have the Heart’, which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1984, James received three Grammy nominations.
The first was for ‘Jamesaying? (another duet with Patti Austin).
The second was for the US Top 10 single, ‘P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)’ ( a song he co-wrote with Quincy Jones for Michael Jackson, for the ‘Thriller’ album).
The third for the song and the track ‘Party Animal’.
In 1985, James was nominated again for ‘Yah Mo B There’ (a duet with Michael McDonald).
Apart from the duets with Patti Austin, James collaborated on further duets with the likes of Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes and Linda Ronstadt.
In the 1990s, James collaborated again with Quincy Jones, on the song ‘The Secret Garden’ on Quincy’s ‘Back On The Block’ album..
James Ingram is a two-time Grammy Award-winner and a two-time Academy Award nominee for Best Original Song.
He has 8 Top 40 hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, to his name.
James has charted at number one twice in his career.
These were 1982's ‘Baby, Come to Me’ with Patti Austin, and ‘I Don't Have the Heart’, in 1990 as a solo artist.
He has, also received several awards for songs featured in films.
stand (in the light) - 2009
In 2009, he released the album 'Stand (In The Light)' for the Gospel based Word Entertainment imprint.
Sadly, James died from brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles in January 2019
Albums:
It's Your Night (Qwest Records 1983)
Never Felt So Good (Qwest Records 1986)
It's Real (Qwest Records 1989)
Always You (Qwest Records 1993)
Stand (In The Light) (Word Entertainment Records 2009)
