“JUST ONCE” by JAMES INGRAM

James Ingram was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born on February 16th, 1952, in Akron, Ohio. Known for his soulful and smooth R&B vocals, he gained widespread recognition (in 1983) with his debut studio album, “It’s Your Night”. This album featured the hit single “Yah Mo B There,” a duet with Michael McDonald.

Beside his work with McDonald, he also collaborated with Quincy Jones on the song I chose for today. Some of his other well-known duets include “Somewhere Out There” (with Linda Ronstadt) and “Baby, Come to Me” (with Patti Austin). He also co-wrote Michael Jackson’s hit song “P.Y.T.”.

Throughout his career, he received multiple Grammy Awards, including “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance” (in 1982) for “One Hundred Ways”, and again (in 1985) for “Yah Mo B There”.

On this very day, January 29th 2019, James Edward Ingram died of brain cancer at the age of 66. In memory of his passing, exactly 5 years ago today, I have chosen a ballad that really showcases the soulful tone of this lost artist. If you’d like to have a listen for yourself, please feel free to click on the provided YouTube link. Released in September 1981, here’s the late JAMES INGRAM with “JUST ONCE”….