Joe Byrd (1933-2012) was a bassist known for his jazz performances with his older brother, guitarist Charlie Byrd. Born Gene Herbert Byrd in Chuckatuck, Virginia, Joe attended the Peabody Conservatory and earned a Bachelor of Music and Teacher's Certificate in double bass performance in 1962. The same year, Joe played rhythm guitar on Jazz Samba, an album by Charlie Byrd and saxophonist Stan Getz that is credited for popularizing Brazilian jazz in the United States. Joe and Charlie performed together for decades, including on several international goodwill tours sponsored by the U.S. State Department and in visits to the White House for Presidents Johnson, Ford, and Carter. Other musical collaborators of Joe Byrd's include saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, pianists Teddy Wilson and Mose Allison, singer Jimmy Witherspoon, and guitarist Herb Ellis.

Byrd toured widely but called Maryland home for much of his life. He and his wife, Elana Byrd, produced and promoted jazz series at venues in Annapolis and Washington, D.C.

After Charlie Byrd's death in 1999, Joe Byrd continued performing and recording with new ensembles, sometimes performing tribute concerts to his late brother. In 2014, the East Hall performance space at the Peabody Institute was renamed Joe Byrd Hall.

(Adapted from obituaries in the Washington Post and other outlets, and from "East Hall renamed to honor jazz legend Joe Byrd," Peabody Magazine, vol. 9, issue 1, fall 2014.)