Travis @ Jewell on Capitol

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TRAVIS the Band, was formed in the summer of 1972 by South high director of instrumental music, Albert “Red” Travis. The band played all the feature clubs in the Omaha, Council Bluffs, Lincoln area, and there were many of them: The 8 Limited, The Roaring Twenties, The Aquarius, Pogos, Arthurs, The Chicago, The Royal Grove, Stooges, PO Pears, just to name a few. These clubs of yesteryear were emblematic of the rich music scene at the time. Musicians typically worked 5 days per week and earned living wages, much different than today’s music culture. The feature Bands always drew record crowds, but the clubs also had a tremendous following of their own. Travis worked and average of 45 weeks per year 3 to 5 nights per week. These clubs were beautiful establishments that people went to because they knew that they would see top performing acts. Top bands always wanted to perform in the top clubs, this was a very successful time in Omaha music history, as the feature clubs had established their identity and were just as much in demand by the people who attended, as were the bands that performed.

Travis also performed on a regional level during the summer months, in some of the top clubs and concert venues in the central states, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois etc. Red and his wife Jeanne had to be signed as legal guardians as some of us were underage to work in night clubs. There are World Herald articles detailing this posted on the FB site. Most of the venues performed in were mainly in college cities with large populations of students and feature clubs. The band also had the privilege of opening for national acts such as Dr John, and Smokey Robinson’s Miracles. Over 50 years of Soul, R&B, and Funk. Come join us at the Fabulous Jewell on Capital.