Grammy-winning singer and songwriter James Ingram, who topped the charts with hits like Baby, Come to Me and Somewhere Out There, has died aged 66.
Ingram's longtime friend, actress Debbie Allen, confirmed the news and said she has lost her "dearest friend and creative partner".
Alongside a picture of the two together, she 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."
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
According to US entertainment website TMZ, the R&B singer had been battling a form of brain cancer for an extended period of time.
Ohio-born Ingram earned 14 Grammy nominations throughout his career, winning best male R&B vocal performance in 1982 for One Hundred Ways and best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for Yah Mo B There, a duet with Michael McDonald, in 1985.
Ingram also recorded Somewhere Out There with Linda Ronstadt, for animated film An Americal Tail.
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