 From February 1961 , Dylan played at clubs around Greenwich Village . He befriended and picked up material from folk singers there , including Dave Van Ronk , Fred Neil , <unk> , the New Lost City <unk> , and Irish musicians the Clancy Brothers and Tommy <unk> . In September , Dylan gained public recognition when Robert Shelton wrote a review in The New York Times of a show at <unk> 's Folk City . The same month Dylan played harmonica on folk singer Carolyn <unk> 's third album , which brought his talents to the attention of the album 's producer , John Hammond . Hammond signed Dylan to Columbia Records in October . The performances on his first Columbia album — Bob Dylan — in March 1962 , consisted of familiar folk , blues and gospel with two original compositions . The album sold only 5 @,@ 000 in its first year , just enough to break even . Within Columbia Records , some referred to the singer as " Hammond 's <unk> " and suggested dropping his contract , but Hammond defended Dylan and was supported by Johnny Cash . In March 1962 , Dylan contributed harmonica and back @-@ up vocals to the album Three Kings and the Queen , accompanying Victoria Spivey and Big Joe Williams on a recording for Spivey Records . While working for Columbia , Dylan recorded under the pseudonym Blind Boy <unk> , for <unk> , a folk magazine and record label . Dylan used the pseudonym Bob <unk> to record as a piano player on The Blues Project , a 1964 anthology album by <unk> Records . As <unk> <unk> , Dylan played harmonica on Ramblin ' Jack Elliott 's 1964 album , Jack Elliott . 
