[1] It was established by Barbara Dane,[2] in May 1961,[3] with the idea of creating a venue for the blues in a tourist district where a wider audience could hear it.
There Dane performed regularly with her two most constant musical companions: Kenny "Good News" Whitson on piano and cornet and Wellman Braud, former Ellington bassist.
Among her guest artists were Jimmy Rushing, Mose Allison, Mama Yancey, Tampa Red, Lonnie Johnson, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry.
[4] Carmen McRae performed at the club in 1963, recording a live album there with pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Vic Sproules and drummer Stew Martin.
A Billboard review wrote of it: "Miss McRae sings up a storm, exhibiting not only her highly polished and formidable style but much warmth, humor and that little something extra that makes for an inspired performance".