Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Kenyatta performs his original song “Holding Out Hope” live at Sing Sing prison in 2018 and at Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing in 2019 as part of First Free Note, a concert held by Kenyatta on the day he came home from prison.
“A lot of times, it feels like, when you hope, that’s when you open yourself up to the possibility of disappointment. That’s the way in which we arm ourselves and preserve ourselves and keep ourselves safe, so that you can navigate a situation like this when sometimes, hope can feel toxic. But the fact is, it’s true, hope doesn’t disappoint. Because what will happen, will happen. And our current circumstances are only our current circumstances.” —Kenyatta
Watch more videos on the “Inner Transformation” playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6on-dqI0232yBJIUqLEMydmqKDSw25zV
In 2026, Carnegie Hall celebrates the 15th anniversary of Musical Connections by releasing Sing Sing Voices, a series of three video playlists that feature original music created by men incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum‑security prison in New York. Shared publicly for the first time, the project includes nearly 50 songs written and performed during the longstanding residency in collaboration with Carnegie Hall teaching artists. Highlighting the creativity and humanity fostered through music, Grammy Award winners Common, Joyce DiDonato, and Arturo O’Farrill each introduce a playlist.
Learn more about Sing Sing Voices: carnegiehall.org/SingSingVoices
Performers:
Kenyatta, Vocals
Alfred, Vocals
Paul, Vocals
Laura Weiner, Vocals
Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Vocals
Amun, Vocals
Jermaine, Vocals
Joseph, Vocals
Laron, Vocals
Chosen, Vocals
Elliot Cole, Vocals
Marvin, Vocals
Shane, Vocals
Daniel, Violin
Mike, Viola
Alex, Cello
Pala Garcia, Violin
Ann Gregg, Viola
John Patrick Popham, Cello
Brad Balliett, Bassoon
Hector, Trumpet
Jason Marshall, Saxophone
Willerm Delisfort, Piano
Michael Olatuja, Bass
Jonathan Michel, Bass
Matt Moran, Percussion
Allan Mednard, Percussion
Shadrich, Percussion
Musical Connections is a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
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Carnegie Hall’s mission is to present extraordinary music and musicians on the three stages of this legendary hall, to bring the transformative power of music to the widest possible audience, to provide visionary education programs, and to foster the future of music through the cultivation of new works, artists, and audiences.
Learn more at https://carnegiehall.org.
facebook.com/CarnegieHall
twitter.com/CarnegieHall
instagram.com/CarnegieHall
Kenyatta performs his original song “Holding Out Hope” live at Sing Sing prison in 2018 and at Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing in 2019 as part of First Free Note, a concert held by Kenyatta on the day he came home from prison.
“A lot of times, it feels like, when you hope, that’s when you open yourself up to the possibility of disappointment. That’s the way in which we arm ourselves and preserve ourselves and keep ourselves safe, so that you can navigate a situation like this when sometimes, hope can feel toxic. But the fact is, it’s true, hope doesn’t disappoint. Because what will happen, will happen. And our current circumstances are only our current circumstances.” —Kenyatta
Watch more videos on the “Inner Transformation” playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6on-dqI0232yBJIUqLEMydmqKDSw25zV
In 2026, Carnegie Hall celebrates the 15th anniversary of Musical Connections by releasing Sing Sing Voices, a series of three video playlists that feature original music created by men incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum‑security prison in New York. Shared publicly for the first time, the project includes nearly 50 songs written and performed during the longstanding residency in collaboration with Carnegie Hall teaching artists. Highlighting the creativity and humanity fostered through music, Grammy Award winners Common, Joyce DiDonato, and Arturo O’Farrill each introduce a playlist.
Learn more about Sing Sing Voices: carnegiehall.org/SingSingVoices
Performers:
Kenyatta, Vocals
Alfred, Vocals
Paul, Vocals
Laura Weiner, Vocals
Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Vocals
Amun, Vocals
Jermaine, Vocals
Joseph, Vocals
Laron, Vocals
Chosen, Vocals
Elliot Cole, Vocals
Marvin, Vocals
Shane, Vocals
Daniel, Violin
Mike, Viola
Alex, Cello
Pala Garcia, Violin
Ann Gregg, Viola
John Patrick Popham, Cello
Brad Balliett, Bassoon
Hector, Trumpet
Jason Marshall, Saxophone
Willerm Delisfort, Piano
Michael Olatuja, Bass
Jonathan Michel, Bass
Matt Moran, Percussion
Allan Mednard, Percussion
Shadrich, Percussion
Musical Connections is a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.
---
Carnegie Hall’s mission is to present extraordinary music and musicians on the three stages of this legendary hall, to bring the transformative power of music to the widest possible audience, to provide visionary education programs, and to foster the future of music through the cultivation of new works, artists, and audiences.
Learn more at https://carnegiehall.org.
facebook.com/CarnegieHall
twitter.com/CarnegieHall
instagram.com/CarnegieHall
