Students in the Kurt Huget guitar class On an otherwise quiet Sunday evening, nine guitars rang out in harmony and transformed San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel into a raucous concert hall. “This was a great opportunity for us to communicate musically with no boundaries and just let our hair down,” said volunteer instructor Kurt Huget. He showcased eight emerging artists from his weekly guitar clinic as they all plucked and strummed their way through a handpicked playlist of crowd favorites. “I just love these guys,” Huget said. “They’re … [Read more...] about Eight emerging artists turn chapel into raucous concert hall
Music
Native Hawaiian Religious Group holds annual feast
San Quentin was treated to a Hawaiian celebration of food, laughs and music. About 75 prisoners and two dozen Bay Area community members enjoyed the annual feast of the Native Hawaiian Religious Group (NHRG). “This is the second best thing to having a spread on the yard,” said inmate Romeo Pacos. The gathering reunites Asian and Pacific Islanders and created a spirit of companionship beyond any normal prison experience, said Pacos. The broad smiles of the Pacific Islanders were evident as they dined, danced, chanted and sang at the … [Read more...] about Native Hawaiian Religious Group holds annual feast
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison, under the guidance of hip-hop artist and music producer David Jassy. Because of that, he’s captured the attention of corrections officials and the prison reform organization CUT50. They all came together at the prison in August to learn more about the young men in the Youth Offender Program (YOP) who are using music to tell honest stories with constructive messages as a form of rehabilitation. In the Arts in Corrections studio loft, Jassy played a video for the … [Read more...] about Young inmates are creating positive rap music at San Quentin State Prison
“I wanted to teach in here because it’s such a unique place”
For 11 years, Kurt Huget has been teaching a guitar workshop at San Quentin State Prison. On a Thursday afternoon in August, he was explaining to a new student what bars and beats are. He handed out chord charts to the student, showing him how to place his fingers on the guitar’s fret board. “I wanted to teach in here (San Quentin) because it’s such a unique place,” Huget said. “I knew the guys would appreciate it.” According to Huget, Steve Emrick, San Quentin’s community partnership manager, noticed him coming in to play concerts … [Read more...] about “I wanted to teach in here because it’s such a unique place”
Karen Drucker and friends share an evening of music at San Quentin
Karen Drucker and Friends shared an evening of music with the men at San Quentin. For two hours, the singer-songwriter entertained more than 80 people who attended the performance on a Sunday evening in late September. Men of all races sprinkled the pews in the prison’s Catholic chapel, wearing state-issued blues stenciled with CDCR Prisoner on pant legs and shirt backs. They were young, old, Christian, Muslim and everything in between. But none of that mattered. Vocalist Karen Drucker “When I write songs, I want to convey a … [Read more...] about Karen Drucker and friends share an evening of music at San Quentin