30 years ago, The State published “City’s jazz scene shows signs of life.” The article took a look at the Capital City jazz scene, one that was teeming with life and ready to grow given the space. That article focused on one show in particular, Keenan High grad Ron Westray and Augusta’s Wycliffe Gordon. They were touring in support of their album “Bone Structure,” which had recently come out on Atlantic Records. 200 crowded into the Main Street space for that Saturday night show, more spilled out onto the streets, and the rest is history. For nearly the next two decades, Hunter-Gatherer hosted the jazz community on Thursday nights and beyond.

This was around the same time Carl Payne began performing in Columbia. Last spring, as the Hunter-Gatherer building waited out its final days before demolition, Payne and his band, 15 performers in all, were set up and practicing before the crew arrived. The horns and percussion bounced off the nearby apartments and government buildings, and “Night of the Mojito” rang through the streets.

You can catch Carl Payne’s Big Band live in Boyd Plaza at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, as part of the monthly First Thursday series.

Saxophone Section

Tenor: Derek Brooks

Askiah Rahman

Alto: Dwayne Simmons 

Baritone: Bill DuBose

Trumpet Section

Joey Howland

Candace True

Wayne Gourdine

Carlton Payne

Trombone Section

Kyle Wisnewski

Andrew Lofurno

Milton Morris

Justin Graig 

Rhythm Section

Piano: David Longton

Guitar Geoff: Collier

Bass: Rene Muniz

Drums: Bruce Dantzler