Seven Generations (World Premiere in Makhanda, South Africa) Composed by Mark Stone

I see a time of seven generations when all the colours of mankind will gather under the sacred tree of life and the whole earth will become one circle again.
- Tȟašúŋke Witkó (Crazy Horse), Oglala Lakota Leader (1840-1877)
This past February as I sat on the beach near Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, I reflected on Native-American wisdom teachings around the importance of being conscious of both seven generations into the past and seven generations into the future. I contemplated the fact that it has only been seven generations since the slave trade ended at Cape Coast, and I meditated on the long road ahead of us to ensure justice and equity for all future generations.
As I sat on the rocks, looking out on the waves that carried the ancestors of my African-American brothers and sisters away from their mother land, I began playing my mbira and created the composition Seven Generations. After returning to the U.S., I arranged it for marimba band and jazz ensemble. This work is dedicated to all the ancestors who passed through Cape Coast Castle and their descendants.
South Africa/America Music Exchange (SAME)
Regina Carter - violin
Ed Sarath - flugelhorn
Siya Makuzeni - trombone
Ulagh Williams - piano
Chantal Willie-Peterson - bass
Gayelynn McKinney - drum set
Dizu Plaatjies - conga
Albert Ssempeke Bisaso - cajon
Mark Stone - mbira/kalangu talking drum
Hlobisile Dludlu - marimba
Rocko Hughes - marimba
Nklakanipho Mmema - marimba
Kamohelo Mokwatlo - marimba
Thamina Motloung - marimba
Rorisang Motsamai - marimba
Zinhle Ngwenya - marimba
Lungile Nkabinde - marimba
Naledi Nkabinde - marimba
Amukelani Nkonyane - marimba
Thimna Nzima - marimba
Manqoba Radebe - marimba
Khabonina Motaung - marimba
Puseletso Ramashoai - marimba