James Ingram
James Edward Ingram was born on February 16, 1952, in Akron, Ohio. He was raised in a musical family and developed an interest in music at a young age. Ingram was encouraged by his parents, Alistine and Henry Ingram, to pursue his passion for the art form, which laid the groundwork for his future career in music.
Ingram's career took off in the late 1970s when he became a session musician, contributing as a vocalist and pianist to various projects. He gained major recognition and success as a solo artist and distinguished himself as a talented R&B singer and songwriter. His unique vocal style, characterized by a powerful falsetto, captivated audiences.
Ingram's breakthrough came with his 1982 hit "Just Once," which was co-written with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The song earned him his first Grammy nomination. He continued to achieve commercial success throughout the 1980s, producing well-known tracks like "I'll Be There," "Yah Mo Be There," and "Baby Come to Me," showcasing his ability to blend soul and pop influences.
Over the course of his career, James Ingram received multiple Grammy Awards, reflecting his significant impact on the music industry. He won two Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1981 for "Just Once" and in 1987 for "Yah Mo Be There." He also received several nominations for other prominent awards.
Ingram continued to create and perform music until his health began to decline. He was diagnosed with brain cancer and ultimately succumbed to the disease on January 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 66. His contributions to the R&B genre and his distinctive vocal talent remain celebrated to this day.
James Ingram is remembered not only for his musical talents but also for his ability to connect with audiences through his heartfelt lyrics and emotive performances. His influence on R&B music continues to inspire new generations of artists, solidifying his legacy as one of the genre's greats.
It’s Your Night
Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Backing Vocals – Zane Giles, August Johnson, Bunny Hull, Howard Hewitt, James Gilstrap, Luther Vandross, Ollie Brown, Phillip Ingram, Scherrie Payne, Susaye Green, Valerie Johnson
Bass – Louis Johnson
Drums – Harvey Mason
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes
Lead Vocals, Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Bass], Arranged By – James Ingram
Programmed By – Craig Hundley
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker
Synthesizer, Arranged By – Mark Vieha
Written-By – James Ingram, Mark Vieha, Richard Page
4:55
A2 Yah Mo Be There
Drums – John Robinson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker
Synthesizer, Arranged By – Rod Temperton
Vocals, Synthesizer, Arranged By – James Ingram, Michael McDonald
Voice [African Voices], Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Written-By – James Ingram, Michael McDonald, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton
4:40
A3 She Loves Me (The Best That I Can Be)
Drums – Raymond Calhoun
Electric Piano, Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Guitar – Larry Carlton
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Synthesizer – David Paich, Don Dorsey, Michael Boddicker
Synthesizer, Keyboards, Arranged By – Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – Brian Neary, James Photoglo
3:40
A4 Try Your Love Again
Drums – John Robinson
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Larry Williams
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Craig Hundley
Trombone, Brass – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Written-By – Brock Walsh, Glen Ballard
4:25
B1 Whatever We Imagine
Drums – John Robinson
Keyboards, Synthesizer – David Foster
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Lyricon – Tom Scott
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Programmed By – Craig Hundley, Ian Underground
Written-By – David Foster, Jeremy Lubbock, Paul Gordon (3)
3:56
B2 One More Rhythm
Backing Vocals – Edie Lehman, Howard Hewitt, Linda Harmon, Tom Bahler
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Organ, Synthesizer – Jimmy Smith
Percussion [Fingerpopper] – Steven Ray
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes
Programmed By – Craig Hundley, Michael Boddicker
Saxophone – Larry Williams, Tom Scott
Synthesizer – Rod Temperton
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Written-By – Rod Temperton
4:05
B3 There's No Easy Way
Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – John Robinson
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Programmed By – Steve Porcaro
Synthesizer, Arranged By – David Paich
Written-By – Barry Mann
3:51
B4 It's Your Night
Backing Vocals – Bunny Hull, Carmen Twillie, James Ingram, Maxine Waters, Paulette McWilliams
Bass – Louis Johnson
Drums – John Robinson
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer – James Ingram
Lyricon, Soloist – Tom Scott
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Percussion [Fingerpopper] – Steven Ray
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker, Robbie Buchanan
Written-By – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, James Ingram
3:37
B5 How Do You Keep The Music Playing? (Theme From Best Friends)
Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Bass – Nathan East
Co-producer, Arranged By – Johnny Mandel
Drums – Leon Ndugu Chancler
Guitar – George Doering, Paul Jackson Jr.
Lead Vocals – James Ingram
Piano [Acoustic], Arranged By – David Foster
Programmed By – Steve Porcaro
Synthesizer – David Paich
Vocals – Patti Austin
Written-By – Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
4:16
Label: Qwest Records – 92-3970-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco, Funk
James Ingram's debut album, It's Your Night (1983), produced by Quincy Jones, blends soulful ballads and upbeat pop/R&B, featuring major hits like "Yah Mo B There," "Party Animal," and the duet with Patti Austin, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," becoming a successful album with Grammy nominations and Gold certification, showcasing Ingram's distinctive voice across diverse tracks like "There's No Easy Way" and "Whatever We Imagine".
It was Ingram's first solo album after his breakthrough with Patti Austin, quickly becoming a commercial success, reaching #46 on the Billboard 200 and earning Gold status. The album explores themes of love, relationships, and perseverance, with songs like "There's No Easy Way" and the title track.
The legendary Quincy Jones produced the album, guiding Ingram's crossover appeal with a polished sound. It balances emotional, orchestral ballads with danceable, uptempo tracks, showcasing Ingram's powerful, husky vocals.
Hit Singles: Key tracks include the Grammy-nominated "Party Animal," the Grammy-winning "Yah Mo B There" (with Michael McDonald), "She Loves Me (The Best That I Can Be)," and the classic duet "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?".
It was Ingram's highest-charting album, peaking at number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and receiving Gold certification by the RIAA in 1984. The album and its singles received a total of four Grammy nominations across 1984 and 1985.
Its Your Night It s Your Night