Posted on 03/06/2024 12:24:27 PM PST by Morgana
Musician Jim Beard - known for his work with Steely Dan - has died at the age of 63, it has been confirmed.
The composer and producer passed away Saturday, March 2nd, in a hospital in New York City from complications due to a sudden illness, Deadline reports.
Beard had been a member of Steely Dan since 2008, and had also recently toured with legendary band the Eagles for their Long Goodbye tour.
Bear's last performance with Steely Dan was on January 20th in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was born on August 26, 1960 in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania before moving to New York in order to begin a music career.
It was there where he first began working with Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin and Wayne Shorter.
Beard was a prolific studio musician as he also recorded with artists including Steve Vai, The Brecker Brothers, Dianne Reeves, Dizzy Gillespie, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Toninoho Horta.
In addition the musician has also published over 100 compositions featured on recordings by Michael Brecker, John McLaughlin, and several others.
He also published compositions for books including The New Real Book from 2005.
According to Deadline Beard has also appeared with the Metropole Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and performed in major festivals such as JVC, Montreux, Live Under the Sky, North Sea, Montreal, and stages in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Blue Note (New York and Japan), CBGBs, Montmartre, in addition to many more.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
RIP. I saw him in January with Steely Dan. Great show.
There sure are a lot of “ sudden illnesses “ causing premature deaths in the last three years.
Maybe someday the Beltway Empire will allow us to know why.
Thank you fo4 the music, RIP.
Huge fan of all types of music from their time period...but Steely Dan was one group I’d always change the station on when they put them on.
Oh my, he was only 4 months older than I am...ugh.
Quite the talent.
Saw him a few years ago, also at a Steely Dan Concert. Gotta see these talented folks before they are gone.
For a while, in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, the radio was overwhelmed with Steely Dan music. Many of us who liked their music grew tired of hearing the same tunes over and over.
Such is the price of popularity.
Phil Collins went through the same thing.
All of his music was professionally done, as he was backed by other very experienced group members from Genesis.
Many of Phil’s hits were played over and over again, until some folks got tired of hearing any of his work.
The average musician never gets anything close to that level of popularity, and would loved to have achieved it.
Same with The Eagles.
I’ve seen SD about 4-5 times in the past decade, always a good performance.
Your comment brought back a memory I had from my childhood ironically enough.
I was pretty small, and had a stomach ache in the back of a hot car from eating some gummy bears (or whatever) while my mom was driving around doing errands.
And the song “Deacon Blues” was playing on the radio in that memory (I didn’t know the name of the group or song at the time obviously)
Maybe that was the cause of my life long disliking Steely Dan.
Coincidently...I remember Willy Nelson’s “On the Road Again” playing as well that day..and I cant stand him either.
There sure are a lot of “ sudden illnesses “ causing premature deaths in the last three years.
Almost epidemic!
Most professional musicians were required to take the horrid jabs, in order to enter MANY venues, travel abroad, etc.
Very sad.
RIP Music man.
Back in the vinyl days, Steely Dan had the cleanest and clearest audio around.
Condolences to family and friends of Jim Beard. R.I.P.
Safe and effective.
Well, definitely *effective*. :-(
Musical tastes vary...and mine does (enormously) from yours.
I know what you mean. I sick as a dog for almost a week back in the early 70s and the radio kept playing” My name is Michael, I’ve got a nickel...” I feel like puking just typing it.
If you’re old enough, I bet the opening notes of Do It Again toss you into the Time Machine and take you back to a memory of high school that is bittersweet.
RIP and thanks for the trip back to happier days.
Sorry. I couldn't resist.
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