Jazz group led by pianist Ziggy Travers also featured vocalist Bob Berry, J. Roudeski (guitar), and E. Mortimer (bass). The group recorded at Lillian Claiborne/Haskell Davis studios in D.C. and released records on the DC label. Their songs “That’s The Least You Can Do” and “Are You Sorry” were written by Howard Marks who also penned and/or produced songs for the Gene Smith’s Four Notes, Potomac Valley Boys, Ultratones, Troubadors, and the Jack Gandy Trio.
An early ‘60s lineup of the Trio advertised as “Baltimore’s most outstanding jazz trio” featured Travers (piano), Margie Shearer (see bio), and Gene Byrd (bass). They could be heard at the Tarry Inn, Harolds Club on Charles Street, and at the Biltmore.
Gene (Joe) Byrd, brother of guitarist Charlie Byrd, was a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He played clubs in Baltimore while also joining Charlie’s jazz groups in D.C., Annapolis, and worldwide tours. In addition to the Charlie Byrd groups, Joe performed and toured with many great jazz musicians including Teddy Wilson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mose Allison, and Coleman Hawkins. Then as a member of the Great Guitars with Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Larry Coryell and others. Throughout the ‘70s-90s they released many recordings on Concord Records Jazz Heritage Series.
Record releases as Bob Berry with the Ziggy Travers Trio:
1947 DC 8030/31 That’s The Least You Can Do / Born to Love You
1947 DC 80935 Perfidio / Are You Sorry
