400: An Afrikan Epic

“The real struggle has been since Africans set foot on the continent, an affirmation of the value of one's self.”  - August Wilson 

The year 1619 marks the widely regarded beginning of the Transatlantic slave trade and the first time in world history where human beings were legally treated as common chattel. From then until 1865 the American legal system regarded imprisoned descendants of Africa as less than human and upon the legal end of federally sanctioned trafficking of human life, the humanity of Africans in America was much in question. 

Dr. Lomax ambitiously tells the story of Black America over the course of a 12-album cycle released in 2019. 400: An Afrikan Epic is divided into thirds and explores thousands of years of the history that is pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma’afa (the 400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism expressing a vision of what Blacks in America will heal toward in the next 400 years; a healthy, high functioning, and united block of the African diaspora. 

The project also includes a website that will allow the global community to connect with 400 artists and their various areas of creative expression. 

With 400: An Afrikan Epic, Lomax celebrates the resilience, brilliance, strength, genius, and creativity of a people who continue to endure while offering an inspired view of the future.

Dr. Lomax is grateful to have support from the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Johnstone Fund for New Music, the Lomax Family, and the Kridler Family.

Release Date: 1/23/19
Format: Download/Stream
Catalog #: CFG2019112
Suggested List: Black Art Musik
File under: Afro-Chamber Musik

Click HERE to read recognition for 400: An Afrikan Epic.

400 Years Cycle

Alkebulan: The Beginning of Us 
1)  The First Ankhcestor- celebration of the Drums importance to Afrika 
2)  Song of the Dogon- portrait of a mystical ethnic group in West Afrika 
3)  Dance of the Orishas- music inspired by the Yoruban spiritual tradition 
4)  The Coming- musical depiction of crossing the Atlantic 

Ma’afa: Great Tragedy 
5)  Ma’afa- remembering to forget and forgetting to remember 
6)  Up South- portrait of racism in America 
7)  Four Women- tribute to important Black women 
8)  Blues In August- tribute to Black men

Afro-Futurism: The Return to Uhuru 
9)  Tales of the Black Experience- Sankofan view of Afrikan history 
10) Ankh & The Tree of Life- culturally relevant spiritual belief systems 
11) Spirits of the Egungun- spiritual, cultural, political return to Self
12) Afrika United- becoming… again 

Addendum (to be released at a later date!)
Uhuru: For Symphony- creating a future through healing vibrations

400 Years Cycle: 90 minute concert suite

Musicians:
Mark Lomax, II- drums
Edwin Bayard - tenor & soprano saxophones
Dr. William Menefield- piano
Dean Hulett- bass
William Manley- violin
Erin Gilliland- violin
Norman Cardwell-Murri- viola
Mary Davis- cello
Cora Kuyvenhoven- cello
Pei-An Chao- cello
Wendy Morton- cello

Schedule a Program

Dr. Lomax is scheduling performances related to the 400:Forward initiative that will also include opportunities for audience participation for the 2024-2025 season. Together the performance and discussions will engage students, faculty, staff, and artists in conversations, not just to educate, entertain, and inform, but also to inspire and uplift the human spirit through the power of music. This program has been presented at the Wexner Center for the Arts, University of Michigan, SUNY Oswego, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Central Oklahoma, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center with great success. To discuss engaging Dr. Lomax and his ensemble, please contact Lisa Cave at lisa@evermintmusic.com
 

click to purchase individual recordings

Supplemental Materials

400: An African Epic Documentary
  • 400: An African Epic Documentary

400: An African Epic Documentary

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$19.99

Documentary chronicling the premier performance of The 400 Years Suite, and the philosophy and brotherhood that made it possible.

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400 Curriculum
  • 400 Curriculum

400 Curriculum

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This 90-page full color digital curriculum guide contains historical overviews, definitions, discussion questions, and over 100 scholarly references that encourages high school and college learners to think critically about Afrikan history through an alternative lens in completing both independent research projects and lesson plans developed by

This 90-page full color digital curriculum guide contains historical overviews, definitions, discussion questions, and over 100 scholarly references that encourages high school and college learners to think critically about Afrikan history through an alternative lens in completing both independent research projects and lesson plans developed by educators.

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400: An African Epic Bundle
  • 400: An African Epic Bundle
  • 400: An African Epic Bundle
  • 400: An African Epic Bundle

400: An African Epic Bundle

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$129.99

Now you can purchase the complete 400: An Afrikan Epic bundle featuring the full 12-album cycle, The 400 Years Suite (live recording), the 400: An Afrikan Epic Curriculum Guide, and the 400 Documentary, a $150 value for just $129.99!! Get yours now!

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Click HERE to access a list of resources that inspired, or was inspired by, the 400.

Click on the file below to read a great essay by Melvin Grier and Steve Marine!