A native of the former West Berlin, Germany, Paul Stache worked at Augie’s as a server and bartender after moving into New York City.

[4] Artists who have performed at the club include Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Chris Potter, Vincent Herring, Tom Harrell, Cecil Payne, Cedar Walton, Steve Turre, Eric Alexander, Bill Charlap, Jimmy Cobb, Charles Earland, Nicholas Payton, Peter Bernstein, Eddie Henderson and others.

[4][5] During the COVID-19 pandemic Stache and Johnson launched a series of livestream concerts, Smoke Screens, and undertook a renovation that expanded the club into two small neighboring spaces.

[6] Smoke Sessions has garnered two Grammy Award nominations for releases by pianist Orrin Evans' Captain Black Big Band.

[7] Smoke Sessions has released albums by Harold Mabern, Nicholas Payton, Vincent Herring, Peter Bernstein, Renee Rosnes, Eddie Henderson, George Coleman, Bobby Watson, Steve Davis, The Cookers, Cyrus Chestnut, Larry Goldings, Wayne Escoffery, Gary Bartz, Jimmy Cobb, Mary Stallings, Al Foster, Buster Williams and others.