Jim Beard, Steely Dan Keyboardist, Dies at 63
Jim Beard, a keyboardist who played with Steely Dan, has died at the age of 63. According to a statement, the composer, producer and arranger died on March 2 “from complications due to a sudden illness.” The musician has been a touring performer with Steely Dan since 2008. Most recently, he was on tour with the band as they supported the Eagles on their Long Goodbye tour. His last show with them was on Jan. 20 in Phoenix. Beard was born on Aug. 26, 1960, in Philadelphia. By his teens, he was studying arranging with jazz composer and trombonist Don Sebesky and the piano with British keyboardist...