Harlem tenor saxophonist Dawud Rahman didn’t look nervous playing in front of a packed crowd at the Music on the Inside benefit gala on Sunday night.

Rahman said participating in the program, which is offered free of charge to formerly incarcerated youth and adults, changed his life.

“I grew up,” Rahman said. “I have grown a lot as a result of participating in this program.”

After serving over 40 years in several upstate New York correctional facilities and becoming a free man just over a year ago, he said: He was paired with the program, which offers music education as a form of healing and as a tool to reduce recidivism.

For Rahman, weekly meetings with his music teacher, who is also a mentor, gives him confidence.

“It boosted my self-esteem,” Rahman said.

Riverdale pianist Chung Smith said after being in captivity for more than 20 years, partnering with a professional pianist allowed him to fulfill his lifelong desire to play the keyboard.

He hopes to one day be in a position to teach it and make a living.

“It gave me the opportunity to dig deep inside myself and have a bright future where I could discover my worth,” Smith said. “I am worthy. I have a gift. I have talent!”

When the music education program launched in 2016, it was inspired by the experience of the late jazz legend Louis Armstrong, according to nonprofit officials.

Jazz singer Katherine Russell is so proud that her legendary father Louis Russell once worked with Armstrong.

She was happy to sing on Sundays in support of the cause of helping those she served improve their lives thanks to music.

“The program still honors Louis Armstrong today, but where is he?” Russell said. “He got his first horn at the Colored Wives Home and that’s where he started. That’s how he built his career and he’s one of the geniuses of our century.” !”

There are currently fewer than 20 people signed up for Music On The Inside, according to sources.