The band announced that Jim Beard, the keyboardist for the legendary rock band Steely Dan, has passed away at the age of 63.
According to his publicist, Beard passed away on March 2 at a hospital in New York due to complications from a sudden illness.
With heavy hearts, we share the unfortunate news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague. These sorrowful words were expressed by Steely Dan in a post on their website earlier this week.
Beard, who became a member of Steely Dan in 2008, had been actively touring with the band as part of their ongoing “Long Goodbye” tour. His last show took place on January 20 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
In addition to his work with Steely Dan, Beard has collaborated with jazz superstars John McClaughlin, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, and others, according to his online profile. He also produced scores of albums for musicians such as Eliane Elias, Bob Berg, Bill Evans, Mike Stern, and others. Between 1990 and 2013, he released six solo albums and received a Grammy Award as a featured musician on the Brecker Brothers’ “Some Skunk Funk” in 2007.
Victor and Caitlin, his two children, are still alive, along with Beard’s mother Sarah, sister Nancy, and brother Bill.
