In the spring of 2013 film makers, Jason Wood and Charles Hairston, were looking for a scholar in music to help with a film on the life and work of Logan Rollins, a saxophonist who recorded two albums while an inmate at the Ohio Penitentiary. They connected with musician and composer, Dr. Mark Lomax, II and developed great working relationship as well as a friendship. As the work on the Logan Rollins film came to a close in 2016, Dr. Lomax announced his plan to become the first person to record and release an epic 12 album cycle on one day commemorating the 400th year since the first enslaved Afrikans were brought to North America. The team continued to work together to document the development of the cycle and the premier concert of the 400 Years Suite culminating in the documentary, 400: AN AFRIKAN EPIC.


The Urban Art Ensemble:
Mark Lomax, II - drums/composer
Edwin Bayard - tenor saxophone
William Menefield- piano
Dean Hulett - bass
John Lardinois - violin
Devin Copfer - violin
Norman Cardwell Murri - viola
Mary Davis Fetherston - cello

Video recorded, produced, and edited by Jason Wood and Charles Hairston. Audio recorded, mixed and mastered by Jon Fintel. The 400 Years Suite was supported by the Wexner Center for the Arts Artist Residency. 

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