American R&B singer, James Ingram, has died from suspected brain cancer at the age of 66.
Ingram’s friend and creative partner, Debbie Allen, shared news of the death on Twitter on Tuesday.
There was no official confirmation of time and location of his death as at the time of filing this report.
“I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir,” Allen tweeted. “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,” Ms Allen, an actress, wrote.
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
Celebrity website, TMZ, reports that sources close to Ingram said he had been fighting brain cancer for an extended period.
The singer recorded several hits in the ’80s, including his duet with Patti Austin, Baby Come to Me’, as well as ‘Somewhere Out There’ with Linda Ronstadt, ‘100 Ways’ and ‘Just Once’.
He won a Grammy for ‘Yah Mo B There’, his duet with Michael McDonald, and another for ‘100 Ways’.
Ingram worked closely Quincy Jones for several years.
He co-wrote Michael Jackson’s ‘PYT’ from the Thriller album with Jones.
He wrote songs for Pointer Sisters, George Benson, Ray Charles, Shalamar and others.
