James Ingram, a Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated R&B singer of the 1980s and '90s, has died aged 66.
Ingram is known for hits including Baby Come To Me and I Don't Have A Heart.
Longtime friend and Grey's Anatomy actress Debbie Allen said he had died, paying tribute to her "dearest friend and creative partner".
"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," she tweeted on Tuesday.
"I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name."
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.
He was known for his soundtrack work, most notably a duet with Linda Ronstadt on Somewhere Out There, for the 1986 animated film An American Tail, which won the Grammy for song of the year (with the award going to songwriters James Horner and Cynthia Weil).
His Oscar nominations for best original song came in 1994-95 for his theme songs from Beethoven's 2nd and Junior.
Australian Associated Press
