By Nomali Cele
American crooner, and #MyTop10At10 staple, James Ingram has passed away. Ingram was 66 years old. Ingram’s passing was confirmed by his close friend and collaborator, the American actor, producer and director, Debbie Allen in a social media post.
“I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir.,” wrote Allen.
“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 [heart emoji],” she added.
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
Born in Ohio in the United States, James Ingram was one of the most recognisable and soulful voices in pop music of his generation. He began singing at a young age and dabbled quite a bit in the world of funk music in the 1970s.
Entertainment legend, Quincy Jones, one of Ingram’s collaborators, wrote on his official Twitter “There are no words to convey how much my [heart emoji] aches with the news of the passing of my baby brother, James Ingram.
Jones’ dedication continued to say, “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 [heart emoji] forever.”
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 and Quincy Jones worked together, most notably, in Jones’ 1981 album “The Dude.” Previously to this collaboration, which earned Ingram three Grammy nomintions, James Ingram had sang in sessions for such artists as Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye.
In the 1990s, James Ingram focused his attention on film and worked in numerous film scores. His popular film work includes “One More Time” from the “Sarafina!” soundtrack. For his film work, Ingram was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song, first in 1994 for “The Day I fall in Love” performed with Dolly Parton, which appeared on “Beethoven’s 2nd.” And again in 1995 he was nominated for the song “Look What Love has Done”, which appeared in the film “Junior”.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for your music.
Thank you for your legacy. #JamesIngram ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hPK0oFe2ud— Gladys Knight (@MsGladysKnight) January 30, 2019



