Steely Dan keyboardist Jim Bird dies at the age of 63

music

by Erin Keller

Jim Byrd, the solo artist and touring keyboardist for Steely Dan, has died. He was 63 years old.

Byrd died on March 2 in a New York City hospital surrounded by loved ones due to complications due to a sudden illness, Byrd's representative told The Post in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague, Jim Byrd 1960-2024,” the band wrote on its page. website.

He has been a member of Steely Dan since 2008 and was recently touring with the band on the Eagles' current “Long Goodbye” tour.

Beard's last performance with the band occurred on January 20 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Born on August 26, 1960, in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, Byrd worked with jazz legends Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin and many others, and also released six solo albums.

He has also taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York, and the Sibelius Academy in Finland.

He is survived by his son and daughter, Victor and Caitlin Byrd, his mother, Sarah, his sister, Nancy Canal, and his brother, Bill Byrd.

Steely Dan's current lineup includes Keith Carlock (drums), Freddie Washington (bass), John Herrington (guitar), Walt Weiskopf and Roger Rosenberg (sax), Michael Leonhart (trumpet), Jim Pugh (trombone), and singers Carolyn Leonhart. Katherine Russell, Latanya Hall, and Cindy Mizell.