Nature's Table was a small health food restaurant and jazz club in Urbana, Illinois, that was operated by Terry Masar from 1979
to 1991. It was located on Goodwin Street across from the Krannert Center for
the Performing Arts. In addition
to providing customers
in the local and campus communities with reasonably priced meals, inside
the restaurant patrons could attend live shows and also view and purchase art produced by local artists. Featuring
live performances by many local and regional bands,
the restaurant created a lively environment for budding new musicians and artists. Nature's Table was known for attracting nationally recognized jazz artists, such as Von Freeman, Herb Ellis, Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Peter 'Madcat" Ruth, and Jon McNeil, who frequently performed there. It was also considered a home for many local jazz, blues, alternative rock, and bluegrass ensembles, including a young Alison Krauss. Nature's Table was built on campus property, and
in 1991 the university forced the closure of the restaurant and venue
to make way for a new Chemical and Life Science Lab building. Numerous reunions of the Nature's Table staff and
the artists who frequently played there took place after its closing until Terry Masar passed away on October 23, 2011.
Sources:"About the Table." Sean Kutzko. http://naturestable.net/about/ (accessed September 3, 2015).
"Nature's Table." Jeff Michel. http://www.cujazz.org/natures_table/Nature's_Table_book.pdf (accessed September 3, 2015).