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Crosscurrents

“When I Play My Guitar, I’m Not In Prison... I’m Somewhere Else”

Steve Drown
/
Uncuffed
Joseph Kaufman (right) jamming in the Solano Prison media center with Joe Kirk.

From the series Uncuffed:

Throughout his troubled life, the guitar has been Joseph Kaufman’s constant companion. When he landed in incarceration, he discovered what he needed to change was with him the entire time.

"My favorite kind of meditation is grabbing up the guitar and playing some random stuff."

Credit Steve Drown / Uncuffed
/
Uncuffed
Joseph Kaufman with interviewer Bryan Mazza and Uncuffed producer Joe Kirk, also a guitarist.

Songs by Joseph Kaufman
Performed at the "Uncuffed" studio at Solano State Prison.

Idiot

SOL_Kaufman_Idiot.mp3

Pterosaur

SOL_Kaufman_Pterosaur.mp3

Structures

SOL_Kaufman_Structures.mp3

"Uncuffed" is produced by men at Solano State Prison. Learn more about them here.

KALW’s radio training program at Solano State Prison is supported by the California Arts Council, with funding from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The producers fact-check content to the best of their ability. All content is approved by a prison information officer.

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Crosscurrents From The Producers Of UncuffedBay Area Beats
An avid listener of radio, award winning podcaster, and published author, Bryan Mazza spends his time writing, teaching, and training service animals for those in need. A native of California, Mazza uses his experiences to help others and to shape his artistic perspective in his many endeavors in both radio and creative writing.
Joe Kirk paroled in 2020, after serving 5 years. The one thing that kept Joe going in prison was the memory of his grandparents' farm on the outskirts of Peoria, Illinois.