JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Jazz Icon Jim Beard Passes Away At 63, Leaving Behind Rich Musical Legacy: All You Need To Know About Departed Musician
The music world grieves the loss of jazz legend Jim Beard, whose influential legacy lives on through heartfelt tributes pouring in from across the industry. Beard, a Grammy-winning keyboardist and composer, passed away at 63 on March 2.
Jim Beard, a Grammy-winning keyboardist, composer, arranger, producer, and member of Donald Fagen’s Steely Dan since 2008, passed away in a New York hospital on Saturday of complications from a sudden illness, according to Deadline, citing a representative of Beard.
Beard, 63, worked alongside Jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter, Pat Matheny, and John McLaughlin. In his career spanning decades, he recorded for notable artists like Dizzy Gillespie, The Brecker Brothers, Steve Vai, Dianne Reeves, Meshell Ndegeocello, and more.
Even in his final days, Jim Beard was active in the musical space as he was touring with Steely Dan on the Eagles' Long Goodbye tour. Beard’s last performance on stage was on January 20 in Phoenix.
Amid the star musician's untimely demise, here's a look back at his career and the legacy that he left behind.
Who was Jim Beard? Jazz icon passes away at 63, leaving behind a lasting legacy
Born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, in 1960, Beard showed a keen interest in music from a very early age. He wanted to play tuba at age 5, then drums and saxophones. His parents, however, chose piano for him. 
In 1985, Beard moved to New York to pursue his music career. Since then, he has toured globally with various musicians and recorded with several artists across genres before passing away last week.
Throughout his career, Beard released more than 100 compositions, several of which went on to be nominated by the Recording Academy. In addition, he was a featured performer on Some Skunk Funk, a live album that won two Grammys in 2007.
Making use of his music mastery, Jim Beard helped groom the next generation of musicians by professing at institutions like Mason Gross School of Arts, Berklee College of Music, Aaron Copland School of Music, and Sibelius Academy in Finland.
Beard is survived by his children, Victor and Caitlin; his mother, Sarah; his sister, Nancy; and his brother, Bill.
Tributes pour in for Jim Beard — The music world is in mourning
Jazz drummer Peter Erskine remembered the late Jazz Pianist on X. Sharing a picture of young Jim with Eliane Elias, an acclaimed Brazilian Jazz pianist and singer, in 1988, Erskine wrote, “Jim Beard, RIP. Pictured here with Eliane Elias in 1988. Jim was the glue and such a great presence on so many projects. I’m going to miss the man, his wit and his musical incisiveness. You made a difference.”
Drummer, composer, and producer Antonio Sanchez wrote, “I cannot believe that great Jim is gone. What an untimely loss. He was such a gentle soul and an insanely talented artist...Will miss you, dear Jim."
At the same time, saxophonist and producer Ben Wendel wrote, “Thank you for everything Jim Beard. You were a musical giant and inspiration to so many. I am incredibly grateful I had a chance to hang with you and get a little insight into your genius.”
FAQ
Latest Articles
