James Ingram (born February 16, 1952 in Akron, Ohio) is a Music icon, Multi Grammy award-winner and back-to-back Oscar nominee who inspires and touches the hearts of millions of listeners worldwide through his abundant gifts as a singer, performer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer. In early 2009 Ingram returns to his roots with the release of his first complete inspirational CD, the much-anticipated Stand (in the Light). Inspired by the plight of the Hurricane Katrina victims, Stand features new works and "Yah Mo Be There" -- his legendary, Grammy award-winning 1983 collaboration with Michael McDonald -- and is the natural advancement in a career grounded in faith; blessed with the influence and mentorship of some of the seminal forces in American music history including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder; and shaped and molded by Quincy Jones. From funk to soul to R&B to pop to adult contemporary to inspirational, James Ingram's multi-faceted talents have dazzled the American music scene since the early '80s. ...show more

James Ingram (born February 16, 1952 in Akron, Ohio) is a Music icon, Multi Grammy award-winner and back-to-back Oscar nominee who inspires and touches the hearts of millions of listeners worldwide through his abundant gifts as a singer, performer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer. In early 2009 Ingram returns to his roots with the release of his first complete inspirational CD, the much-anticipated Stand (in the Light). Inspired by the plight of the Hurricane Katrina victims, Stand features new works and "Yah Mo Be There" -- his legendary, Grammy award-winning 1983 collaboration with Michael McDonald -- and is the natural advancement in a career grounded in faith; blessed with the influence and mentorship of some of the seminal forces in American music history including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder; and shaped and molded by Quincy Jones. From funk to soul to R&B to pop to adult contemporary to inspirational, James Ingram's multi-faceted talents have dazzled the American music scene since the early '80s.

The Akron, Ohio, native went from playing local bars with Revelation Funk to Los Angeles, where he landed the types of gigs that most aspiring musicians only dream about: singing background vocals and playing piano for Ray Charles' recording studio sessions; recording studio sessions and playing keyboards behind the Coasters for Dick Clark; and recording background vocals for his mentor, Marvin Gaye. Then fate brought Ingram together with Quincy Jones and to a pivotal breakthrough in his career. Up to this point, Ingram had not yet surfaced as a solo artist, but after a chance listen to Ingram's demo of "Just Once" -- which had been recorded for the sum of $50 -- Jones immediately recognized the man, the voice and the music as the musical triumvirate that would both captivate listeners and command the music industry's attention. Jones quickly chose Ingram to perform both "Just Once" and "One Hundred Ways" on Jones' upcoming album, The Dude.

Released in 1980, The Dude was a multi-platinum international success and resulted in three Grammy nominations for Ingram: Best New Artist, Best Pop Male Vocal, and Best R&B Vocal for "One Hundred Ways," for which he won his first Grammy. Ingram also made Grammy history when -- in his first live performance ever as a singer -- he performed "Just Once" as the telecast's opening act and became the first artist to open a Grammy ceremony with a ballad and the only artist to win a Grammy without having his own album in release. The Dude remains the most Grammy-nominated album in history and marked the first of 15 nominations Ingram has received to date (see attached award list and discography for complete information). After this stunning debut, Ingram's much-anticipated 1983 solo album, It's Your Night, surpassed industry expectations. ...show less