About Generation Dance...
Initially, I created Generation Dance as a memorial to my late father and as a living memorial to my mother who was 85 years old at the time of the recording session. Because of my great respect for my parents, I wanted my offering to have meaning and purpose worthy of their extraordinary life achievements. I wanted to make a statement, a summation of thoughts and ideas generated by the news of my father's passing.

I hope that you find it thought provoking, informative and entertaining...

The Gibsons

Credits...
Tenor Sax: Paul Carr
Trombone: Clifford Adams
Drums: George Johnson Jr., Alvin Terry
Congas/Percussion: Mamadi Nyasuma
Bass: Herman Burney, Charles Fambrough
Acoustic Bass: Charles Fambrough
Piano/Synthesizer: Elmer Gibson
Flute: Paul Carr
Trumpet: Eddie Henderson
Alto Sax: Gary Bartz
Clave/Bells/Bell Tree/Rain Stick: Norman Conners
Vocals: Maiesha Rashad

The Making of Generation Dance...
was a particularly spiritual experience for me. It began in 1976 with the unexpected but foruitous move from my birthplace of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Raleigh, North Carolina, the Capital City of my father's birthstate.

After attending a Pettiford family reunion in 1983, and being totally overwhelmed by the discovery of an extended family I had never known, I began to research my father's family history. Searching old records in the N.C. State archives, I was amazed to find the actual slave records of my grandfather, great grandfather, and great grandmother. More amazing was my visit to the actual plantation where they were born and to see their owners, (perhaps my great, great grandfather) house still in tact. "Here, I noted, I have finally set foot on soil in this United States that has meaning to me personally."

There are names of my family members, both slave and free, listed in the N.C. State archives that stretch back many years before the Revolutionary War. A fact that I noted with some pride in 1993 when my father, Chaplain Lt. Colonel Elmer Pettiford Gibson was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

There are great insights to be had from the study of generation. . . The griots words were more than just a litany of minute facts and details. . . I might never have known had I not sat and listened. . .

I wish to thank the wonderful group of musicians who, answering my call, spoke with such passionate eloquence.

E.H. Gibson 1997