Jim Beard, the Grammy-winning keyboardist, composer, and member of Steely Dan, died Saturday at the age of 63 in a New York hospital.
His representatives said he died of complications from a sudden illness, surrounded by his loved ones. hollywood reporter.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague Jim Beard 1960-2024,” the band wrote. Website.
According to the New York Post, Beard has been a member of Steely Dan since 2008 and recently toured with the band on the Eagles' “Long Goodbye” tour. The famous musician's last performance with the band took place on January 20th in Phoenix, Arizona.
The talented artist was a skilled composer and excelled at playing the keyboard. During his long career, he played with jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny, and John McLaughlin. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has recorded with many of the industry's greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, the Brecker Brothers, Diane Reeves, Mechelle Ndegeocello, and Steve Vai.
He also produced music for Chick Corea, Al Jarreau, and Esperanza Spalding. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he was a highly respected teacher at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Berklee College of Music, the Aaron Copland School of Music, and the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
His music catalog includes six solo CDs spanning from 1990 to 2013.
Beard won a Grammy Award in 2007 for his work as a featured performer on Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker's album Some Skunk Funk. (Related: Former Kingdom Come, Scorpions drummer James Kotak dies at age 61)
When Jim Beard joined the band, the final tumbler clicked into place. The secret to maximizing Steely Dan's music has finally been unlocked, click, click, click. This is an immeasurable loss, and the silence left without fingers on the piano keys is profound. pic.twitter.com/XwKVeVLrC7
— Walter Becker Media (@wbeckermedia) March 6, 2024
Many fans and loved ones have taken to social media to pay tribute to the star and share loving stories of the talented star who was taken too soon.
Beard is survived by his children Victor and Caitlin, his mother Sarah, his sister Nancy, and his brother Bill.
