David Andrichik Oral History

David Andrichik has owned and guided the Chatterbox since 1982, stewarding a tiny room on Mass Ave into one of Indianapolis’ most beloved live-jazz institutions. Equal parts intimate listening room and classic dive bar, the Chatterbox is known worldwide for its close-up performances, scrawled signatures, and walls layered with mementos and dollar bills—an atmosphere that mirrors the grit and generosity of the scene it sustains. In this oral history, David traces more than four decades of late nights, legendary sets, and a community that kept the music first.

David shares the story of buying the Chatterbox and introducing live music to a bar that, until then, had never hosted it. When he took over, the Chatterbox kept early hours—opening at 7:30 a.m. to serve third-shift workers and closing by 7:30 p.m. for the after-work crowd. Because David worked during the day, he decided to extend the hours into the evening and add music, transforming the space into a nighttime destination. He also recalls the period when Massachusetts Avenue was added to the National Register of Historic Places, noting the efforts of people like Scott Keller, who played a major role in restoring many of the other buildings along Mass Ave during that time.

This oral history interview with David Andrichik was recorded as part of the Indiana Music History Project’s Amazing Indiana Music Stories series, with generous support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation. The project presents in-depth interviews with musicians, venue owners, and cultural figures who have shaped Indiana’s musical landscape. This page features the Complete Interview (the full conversation), a short Interview Highlight, and a selection of images that bring David’s story—and the Chatterbox—into focus.

In this highlight from his oral history interview, David Andrichik, owner of the Chatterbox Jazz Club, recalls one of the club’s most memorable nights—when jazz legend Wynton Marsalis performed at the intimate Indianapolis venue. He reflects on moments like this that helped establish the Chatterbox as both a cultural hub and a cornerstone of Indiana’s jazz scene.

In this full oral history interview, David Andrichik shares the story of purchasing the Chatterbox and guiding its evolution into one of Indianapolis’s most beloved jazz dive bars. He reflects on the club’s transformation into a cultural hub, memorable performances, and unforgettable moments—including the night the Rolling Stones stopped in to catch a band at the Chatterbox.