Drummer for Shadowfax

Stuart Nevitt, 55, composer, drummer/percussionist and one of the early members of the Grammy-winning world beat band Shadowfax, died March 15 of complications from diabetes and heart disease at his home in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Nevitt learned the rudiments of drumming at age 4 from his father, who was also a drummer. Nevitt played in rock bands and orchestras throughout high school before going off to the University of Miami to study music.

He moved to Chicago in the early 1970s and met woodwind player Chuck Greenberg, bassist Phil Maggini and guitarist G.E. Stinson.

They invited him to join their experimental group named after Gandalf’s horse, “Shadowfax,” from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “Lord of the Rings.” The group recorded 10 albums and released two greatest-hits packages. It was awarded a Grammy in 1998 for its album “Folksongs for a Nuclear Village.” The band quit touring and performing after Greenberg’s death in 1995.

After the band broke up, Nevitt continued to perform and record, most recently producing and releasing his first solo project “The Marion Kind.” He also performed on recordings by violinist Kim Angelis.