The San Quentin Jewish Chaplain and resident musicians Alive Inside hosted a two-hour concert with outside guests Chelsea Coleman and Adrienne Shamszad in Chapel A.

The Inspirational Music Night is a series of performances that was started two years ago by SQ Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Paul Shleffar and resident violinist John Zeretzke.

They wanted to provide the prison’s community with an opportunity to enjoy live music behind the walls. More than 150 residents were on hand to enjoy the music.

“To come here… it is so powerful and mindful, it feels like my songs are medicine that goes in to the heart,” said Coleman.

This performance was the second annual show and it brought together different communities under one umbrella — a chance to listen to cultural, inspirational, independent folk, and Middle Eastern music.

The Greater Good ensemble, led by resident John Zereske, teamed up with the musical talent of the Alive Inside Program to perform their first joint concert. They have plans for another joint concert this September.

The Greater Good opened up the night with a Portuguese song called La Lambada, a song about losing someone you love.

The incarcerated people said that what Inspirational Music Night brings is a way out for them, that they are looking to forget their hard times in prison. Residents agree that San Quentin is good at offering a variety of events like this to motivate people.

The word “inspirational” was chosen to describe the concert series’ mission to inspire listeners and to take them outside the walls for a few hours, according to Ensemble Director and resident Zeretzke.

At the end of the night, everyone was cheering and asking for more because the atmosphere gives the residents the sense of a live concert where inspiration floated in the air.

“This music event was very, very powerful for me. I was on my feet dancing to the performances. This type of music really got to me in a positive way,” said SQ resident Patricio Gonzalez. “Music is a blessing to the soul.”