With his smooth and soulful tenor and easygoing way with songwriting, James Ingram helped define pop music (and its place in blockbuster films) at the end of the 20th century. In the early '70s, Ingram left Akron, Ohio, for L.A. and found a job as keyboardist for Ray Charles' touring band. His appearance on Quincy Jones’ 1981 The Dude established his vocal brilliance, and together he and Jones also penned songs for Michael Jackson and Donna Summer, among others. Though he seemed happiest when not in the spotlight, his indelible duet with Linda Ronstadt, "Somewhere Out There" from An American Tail, was perhaps his biggest hit.