John Riley was responsible for bringing the first jazz shows into the club. In the early years of operation, music was really a complement to the room's ambiance as opposed to the main event, live music was limited to a strict format of classical chamber music (Thursdays), jazz (Fridays) and folk and classical (Saturdays) and the talent was mostly local. The club gained recognition when national acts Dave Van Ronk and the Heath Brothers played the club during its first year.
