Jim Beard, longtime keyboardist for Steely Dan, dies at 63

Steely Dan performs at the Beacon Theatre in New York in 2008. Keyboardist Jim Beard, who spent more than a decade of his life playing for rock group Steely Dan, has died. Beard, also a composer and producer, had collaborated with Steely Dan since the early aughts, bringing his music to releases including its 2003 album, “Everything Must Go.” His career also featured collaborations with “some of the greatest names in music,” including guitarist Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter and John McLaughlin, according to his website’s biography. Before moving to New York in 1985, Beard played in a local band that performed music ranging from Motown to ’80s pop. Beard also pursued solo work, releasing albums including “Advocate,” “Song of the Sun” and “Show of Hands.” In 2006, Beard won his first Grammy Award for his contributions to the Becker Brothers’ “Some Skunk Funk” live album.