Jim Beard dead at 63: Steely Dan keyboardist passes away 'from complications due to a sudden illness'

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. 

His productions and compositions have been nominated for seven Grammy awards as he even won one in 2007 as a featured performer on Some Skunk Funk by Randy and Michael Brecker. 

Musician Jim Beard known for his work with Steely Dan - has died at the age of 63, it has been confirmed

He is shown performing  with Steely Dann in New York City back in July 2017

 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.

The talented artist also worked on his own music releasing six solo albums with the most recent being Show Of Hands which was released in 2013. 

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.

His writing has also been used in television, movies, and even radio call signals.

Beard (left) is seen with fellow Steely Dan member Jon Herrington decades ago

Steely Dan was founded in 1971 by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen (pictured performing in New York City back in October 2015)

In addition his piano playing has also been heard in numerous major Hollywood film scores.

Some of the production companies which have used his work include Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, NBC, ABC, CBS,  Blue Note, Verve, and Columbia.

If that already wasn't enough the talented musician had also produced dozens of recordings for artists including Bill Evans, Eliane Elias, Bob Berg, Mike Stern, and others. 

Steely Dan was founded in 1971 by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

The rock band have sold more than 40million albums worldwide and were inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2001.