R&B singer James Ingram dies at 66

Grammy Award-winning R&B singer James Ingram has passed away at the age of 66.

Debbie Allen, the singer’s friend and creative partner, shared the news on her Twitter account on Tuesday, January 29.

“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,” Allen tweeted.

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

The cause of the singer’s death is still unclear as Ingram’s representatives are yet to release a statement.

Ingram rose to fame in the 80s after releasing singles that hit the charts all over the world. He is mostly known among Filipinos for his song “Just Once”. Aside from that, Ingram is also the one behind the hits “Baby Come to Me” (duet with Patti Austin), “I Don’t Have the Heart,” “Yah Mo Be There,” and “Somewhere Out There” (duet with Linda Ronstadt).

He has also received several recognitions throughout his career, including 14 Grammy nominations winning two of them. He won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Performance for the song “One Hundred Ways” in 1981, and the Best R&B Performance for a Duo or Group for “Yah Mo B There” in 1984.

Personalities in the entertainment industry also remembered Ingram and expressed their condolences to the departed singer’s family.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

There are absolutely no words to convey how much my heart aches with the news of the passing of my baby brother James Ingram…With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James was simply magical. From the minute I first heard him on the demo tape for “Just Once”, I knew he was IT, & he sure proved that time & time again with “One Hundred Ways”; his classic duet with my goddaughter, Patti Austin, “How Do You Keep The Music Playing”; “Secret Garden”; “We Are The World”…you name it. Every beautiful note that James sang pierced right through your soul & comfortably made itself at home. But it was really no surprise because James was a beautiful human being, with a heart the size of the moon. James Ingram was, & always will be, beyond compare. Rest In Peace my baby brother…You’ll be in my heart forever…

A post shared by Quincy Jones (@quincydjones) on Jan 29, 2019 at 2:05pm PST

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. https://t.co/t8JtEpygKO

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 29, 2019

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.

— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) January 29, 2019

So saddened to hear this. First met James when I was in Shalamar, he played on “Friends” album and co-wrote on another. Such a talent vocally and musically, a family man, witty and wise. My condolences to his family and friends ??✨? Rest in Heaven James Ingram. https://t.co/Md3Wzdccw3

— Jody Watley (@jodywatley) January 29, 2019

Rest In Peace, James Ingram. It was such an honor and pleasure to get to share the stage with you in my lifetime.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) January 30, 2019

RIP the great James Ingram, a vocalist all vocalists looked up to

— josh groban (@joshgroban) January 29, 2019