Grammy-winning R&B singer James Ingram dies at 66

James Ingram, a Grammy winner known for his soulful R&B hits, has died, his friends and colleagues said Tuesday. He was 66 years old.

Actress and friend Debbie Allen announced his death on her Twitter page, saying she was "blessed to have been so close" to him.

"I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir," performer Debbie Allen tweeted. "He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity."

The Grammy winner and Oscar nominee had two number one hit songs, in 1983 and 1990.

He also co-wrote Michael Jackson's Pretty Young Things with frequent collaborator Quincy Jones.

Born in Ohio in 1952, Ingram later moved to Los Angeles and began his career with the band, Revelation Funk. He also played keyboards for Ray Charles before his own musical career took off.

He performed vocals on Quincy Jones' 1981 album The Dude and won the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Grammy for the song One Hundred Ways the following year when he was also nominated for Best New Artist.

Jones and he would later co-write Pretty Young Thing, the sixth single from Michael Jackson's album Thriller.

Ingram earned three Grammy nominations for the works, including Best New Artist, winning for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1981.

Ingram won his second Grammy for the song Yah Mo B There which he sang with Michael McDonald.

His first number one hit was the duet Baby, Come To Me with singer Patti Austin, and he would again top the charts with I Don't Have The Heart.

The singer-songwriter also worked on film soundtracks.

He was nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar Academy Award in 1994 and 1995 for songs from Beethoven's 2nd and Junior, respectively.

More tributes from fans and friends have been posted on social media.