Ozomatli
Encyclopedia
Ozomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995
in Los Angeles
. They are known both for their vocal activist
viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa
, jazz
, funk
, reggae
, rap
, and others.
In a 2007 NPR interview, band members Jiro Yamaguchi and Ulises Bella describe Ozomatli:
astrological
symbol of the monkey
, which is also a god of dance, fire, the new harvest, and music.
The band has experienced many member changes, having had as many as ten members, and as few as seven. A core of six members has featured in all of its lineups: Asdru Sierra (lead vocals, trumpet), Raul Pacheco (lead vocals, guitar, tres, jarana), Justin Poree (rap vocals, percussion), Wil-dog Abers (bass, backing vocals), Jiro Yamaguchi (tabla, percussion, backing vocals) and Ulises Bella (sax, clarinet, requinto jarocho, keyboards, backing vocals).
The members of the band met through their affiliation with the Peace and Justice Center of Los Angeles, and their first performance was for picketers during a strike
. They began their career in the Los Angeles
and San Diego/Mexico
border-area club scene, and added MC Chali 2na
, turntablist Cut Chemist
, drummer William Marrufo, and sax player Jose Espinosa (d. January 5, 2011). Following an appearance in Vibe
magazine, the group broke into the mainstream, releasing Ozomatli
, their eponymous debut album, in June 1998 under the Almo Sounds
label
.
Between their first and second albums, the band experienced a number of member changes, with four of the ten members leaving the band. First the band added drummer Andy Mendoza replacing William Marrufo. Then DJ Cut Chemist left shortly after the release of the first album and was replaced by Kid.W.I.K. Later on Chali 2na left to concentrate on hip-hop outfit Jurassic 5
(which also included Cut Chemist). Chali 2na hand-picked his own replacement as Kanetic Source. While making the second album, Kanetic Source, Kid.W.I.K. and Jose Espinosa all left. Kanetic Source currently does underground music. He also does work with Chali 2na.
Ozomatli's second album, Embrace the Chaos
, was released on the inauspicious date of September 11, 2001. Although many American
bands cancelled their concerts, Ozomatli gained some recognition for continuing to play their concerts, all the while continuing their commitment to social justice
and progressive politics, in addition to the rising anti-war
movement. Kanetic Source appeared as a guest in some songs on the album, and continued to tour with the band as a guest. Chali 2na also appears, along with Kanetic Source, in the song "Vocal Artillery" but goes uncredited.
The band released "Coming Up," a limited edition EP with drummer Mario Calire
replacing Andy Mendoza, and the additions of trombone player Sheffer Bruton and turntablist DJ Spinobi (who had appeared on some tracks on "Embrace The Chaos"). Kanetic Source is listed as an official member on this release although there are very few rap vocal parts.
Afterwards, the band made a further commitment to a new direction in music, embracing North African and Arab musical styles in addition to their own. There were more member changes as well, with rapper MC Jabu replacing Kanetic Source. This lineup of the original six plus Calire, Bruton, Spinobi, and Jabu would be Ozomatli's longest lasting lineup and would record three albums together (Street Signs, Live at the Fillmore, and Don't Mess With the Dragon).
The musical styles of many cultures are blended on 2004
's Street Signs
, and also features another guest appearance by former MC Chali 2na, this time credited, in the song "Whos To Blame". In 2005, Street Signs won the Grammy Award
for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
In late 2006, shortly before the release of Don't Mess With the Dragon, DJ Spinobi left the band to pursue personal projects (but stuck around until the album's release, as he appears in the photos and is credited as a member). This was the end of the longest lasting Ozomatli lineup, and the first of many lineup changes that would occur over the next year and a half. April 3, 2007, saw the release of their fourth studio album Don't Mess With The Dragon, which was co-produced by K. C. Porter
. On September 20, 2007, Ozomatli announced that MC Jabu was leaving the group on amicable terms. He was replaced with Tre Hardson.
In early 2008, the group did a song for the Los Angeles Dodgers
called "Can't Stop The Blue," their first recording with Tre Hardson. In the video, LA drummer Chris Cano is seen in place of Calire. Shortly thereafter, Sheffer Bruton and Tre Hardson were no longer seen playing with the group, and Mario Calire appeared to be back on the drumseat. On July 18, 2008, Ozomatli did a show with original MC Chali 2na, and announced that he had re-joined the group. In August, they traveled to Africa, without Chali 2na. That year the band also became official cultural ambassadors at the invitation of the United States State Department, the culmination of a yearlong process initiated at the behest of a Nepal
ese diplomatic worker who heard the band discuss its mission and philosophy on National Public Radio (NPR); the group's first year of ambassadorship took them to Nepal
, India
, Myanmar
, Madagascar
, Jordan
, Tunisia
, South Africa
, and Egypt
. In Madagascar, Raul Pacheco was nearly electrocuted on stage, an event that inspired their song "Malagasy Shock."
On April 20, 2010, the band released their fifth studio album, Fire Away
.
In 2010, Ozomatli performed the original song "Never Again" with the
Agahoza Shalom Youth Village for the Enough Project and Downtown Records' Raise Hope for Congo compilation. Proceeds from the compilation fund efforts to make the protection and empowerment of Congo’s women a priority, as well as inspire individuals around the world to raise their voice for peace in Congo.
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. They are known both for their vocal activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
, and others.
In a 2007 NPR interview, band members Jiro Yamaguchi and Ulises Bella describe Ozomatli:
History
Ozomatli take their name from the Nahuatl word for the AztecAztec calendar
The Aztec calendar is the calendar system that was used by the Aztecs as well as other Pre-Columbian peoples of central Mexico. It is one of the Mesoamerican calendars, sharing the basic structure of calendars from throughout ancient Mesoamerica....
astrological
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
symbol of the monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
, which is also a god of dance, fire, the new harvest, and music.
The band has experienced many member changes, having had as many as ten members, and as few as seven. A core of six members has featured in all of its lineups: Asdru Sierra (lead vocals, trumpet), Raul Pacheco (lead vocals, guitar, tres, jarana), Justin Poree (rap vocals, percussion), Wil-dog Abers (bass, backing vocals), Jiro Yamaguchi (tabla, percussion, backing vocals) and Ulises Bella (sax, clarinet, requinto jarocho, keyboards, backing vocals).
The members of the band met through their affiliation with the Peace and Justice Center of Los Angeles, and their first performance was for picketers during a strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
. They began their career in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and San Diego/Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
border-area club scene, and added MC Chali 2na
Chali 2na
Charles Stewart , better known as Chali 2na is an American rapper and hip hop artist, formerly associated with the groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli.-Early life:...
, turntablist Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
, drummer William Marrufo, and sax player Jose Espinosa (d. January 5, 2011). Following an appearance in Vibe
VIBE
Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers...
magazine, the group broke into the mainstream, releasing Ozomatli
Ozomatli (album)
Ozomatli is the debut studio album by the Latin funk band Ozomatli, released on June 16, 1998 on Almo Sounds. The song "Cut Chemist Suite" was featured on the soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3-Track listing:# "Como Ves" – 3:57...
, their eponymous debut album, in June 1998 under the Almo Sounds
Almo Sounds
Almo Sounds is a record label which was started in 1994 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss after they sold A&M Records to PolyGram. The intent of the label was to recreate the initial concept of A&M Records as a small, "boutique" label....
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
.
Between their first and second albums, the band experienced a number of member changes, with four of the ten members leaving the band. First the band added drummer Andy Mendoza replacing William Marrufo. Then DJ Cut Chemist left shortly after the release of the first album and was replaced by Kid.W.I.K. Later on Chali 2na left to concentrate on hip-hop outfit Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
(which also included Cut Chemist). Chali 2na hand-picked his own replacement as Kanetic Source. While making the second album, Kanetic Source, Kid.W.I.K. and Jose Espinosa all left. Kanetic Source currently does underground music. He also does work with Chali 2na.
Ozomatli's second album, Embrace the Chaos
Embrace the Chaos
Embrace the Chaos is the second studio album by the Latin funk band Ozomatli, released on September 11, 2001 on Interscope Records.-Track listing:# "Pá Lante" – 5:03# "1234" – 3:07...
, was released on the inauspicious date of September 11, 2001. Although many American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bands cancelled their concerts, Ozomatli gained some recognition for continuing to play their concerts, all the while continuing their commitment to social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and progressive politics, in addition to the rising anti-war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
movement. Kanetic Source appeared as a guest in some songs on the album, and continued to tour with the band as a guest. Chali 2na also appears, along with Kanetic Source, in the song "Vocal Artillery" but goes uncredited.
The band released "Coming Up," a limited edition EP with drummer Mario Calire
Mario Calire
Mario Calire was a drummer for American rock band The Wallflowers. He is currently a drummer for Ozomatli.Mario Calire's experience with drums goes back as far as he can remember. He grew up surrounded by music and credits his saxophone- and piano-playing father, Jimmy Calire, for teaching him the...
replacing Andy Mendoza, and the additions of trombone player Sheffer Bruton and turntablist DJ Spinobi (who had appeared on some tracks on "Embrace The Chaos"). Kanetic Source is listed as an official member on this release although there are very few rap vocal parts.
Afterwards, the band made a further commitment to a new direction in music, embracing North African and Arab musical styles in addition to their own. There were more member changes as well, with rapper MC Jabu replacing Kanetic Source. This lineup of the original six plus Calire, Bruton, Spinobi, and Jabu would be Ozomatli's longest lasting lineup and would record three albums together (Street Signs, Live at the Fillmore, and Don't Mess With the Dragon).
The musical styles of many cultures are blended on 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
's Street Signs
Street Signs (album)
Street Signs is an album by Ozomatli, released in 2004. Street Signs was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die....
, and also features another guest appearance by former MC Chali 2na, this time credited, in the song "Whos To Blame". In 2005, Street Signs won the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
In late 2006, shortly before the release of Don't Mess With the Dragon, DJ Spinobi left the band to pursue personal projects (but stuck around until the album's release, as he appears in the photos and is credited as a member). This was the end of the longest lasting Ozomatli lineup, and the first of many lineup changes that would occur over the next year and a half. April 3, 2007, saw the release of their fourth studio album Don't Mess With The Dragon, which was co-produced by K. C. Porter
K. C. Porter
KC Porter is an American record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. For nearly three decades in the entertainment industry, Porter has earned numerous Grammy nominations and 3 Grammys and Latin Grammys...
. On September 20, 2007, Ozomatli announced that MC Jabu was leaving the group on amicable terms. He was replaced with Tre Hardson.
In early 2008, the group did a song for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
called "Can't Stop The Blue," their first recording with Tre Hardson. In the video, LA drummer Chris Cano is seen in place of Calire. Shortly thereafter, Sheffer Bruton and Tre Hardson were no longer seen playing with the group, and Mario Calire appeared to be back on the drumseat. On July 18, 2008, Ozomatli did a show with original MC Chali 2na, and announced that he had re-joined the group. In August, they traveled to Africa, without Chali 2na. That year the band also became official cultural ambassadors at the invitation of the United States State Department, the culmination of a yearlong process initiated at the behest of a Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
ese diplomatic worker who heard the band discuss its mission and philosophy on National Public Radio (NPR); the group's first year of ambassadorship took them to Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. In Madagascar, Raul Pacheco was nearly electrocuted on stage, an event that inspired their song "Malagasy Shock."
On April 20, 2010, the band released their fifth studio album, Fire Away
Fire Away
Fire Away is the follow-up album to Ozomatli's 2007 studio release Don't Mess with the Dragon.-Track listing:#"Are You Ready" - 3:18#"45" - 3:03#"It's Only Paper" Fire Away is the follow-up album to Ozomatli's 2007 studio release Don't Mess with the Dragon.-Track listing:#"Are You Ready" -...
.
In 2010, Ozomatli performed the original song "Never Again" with the
Agahoza Shalom Youth Village for the Enough Project and Downtown Records' Raise Hope for Congo compilation. Proceeds from the compilation fund efforts to make the protection and empowerment of Congo’s women a priority, as well as inspire individuals around the world to raise their voice for peace in Congo.
Notable performances
- Carlos SantanaCarlos SantanaCarlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
offered the band one of their early breaks as his opening act during his 1998 tour to promote Supernatural. - In 1999 they appeared in the Drew BarrymoreDrew BarrymoreDrew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
movie Never Been KissedNever Been KissedNever Been Kissed is a 1999 comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Molly Shannon, Leelee Sobieski, John C. Reilly, Jessica Alba, Marley Shelton, James Franco , Giuseppe Andrews, Jeremy Jordan and Garry Marshall...
. They are the band playing in the reggaeReggaeReggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
club when she ingests "Ganja cake", a cake with marijuana. In the scene, they play "Cumbia De Los Muertos". - The group appeared in HBOs Sex and the CitySex and the CitySex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
episode "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?" airing June 27, 1999. - During the 2000 Democratic National ConventionDemocratic National ConventionThe Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in Los Angeles, Ozomatli played a live concert before thousands of protesters across the street from the Staples CenterStaples CenterStaples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
. - The group received the 2002 Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for 'Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album'. - Shortly after receiving a Grammy, Ozomatli played a set at the 2002 award winning music festival The Berkshire Mountain Music Festival (aka Berkfest).
- After playing at CoachellaCoachella Valley Music and Arts FestivalThe Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
, Ozomatli were featured in NewsweekNewsweekNewsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
and on the UnivisionUnivisionUnivision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest audience of Spanish language television viewers according to Nielsen ratings. Randy Falco, COO, has been in charge of the company since the departure of Univision Communications president and CEO Joe Uva...
program Despierta AmericaDespierta América¡Despierta América! is a popular Spanish language morning show which has aired on the Univision television network since 1997. It is broadcast from the network's studios in Miami, Florida, and is hosted by Chiquinquirá Delgado, Poncho de Anda, Raúl González, and Karla Martínez. Satcha Pretto and...
in June 2004. - Ozomatli has performed five times at the Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAustin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
music festival South by SouthwestSouth by SouthwestSouth by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, most recently in 2011. - In 2004 the group was confronted while performing outside of a club where they would later have a concert. Two members of the band, as well as the manager, were arrested. The charges were eventually dropped. After this, the band was scheduled to perform at the Latin Grammy AwardsLatin Grammy AwardsA Latin Grammy Award is an accolade by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. Unlike the regular Grammy Award which primarily honors music produced in the United States, the Latin Grammy honors works produced anywhere around the...
, where they were introduced by George LopezGeorge LopezGeorge Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is mostly known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including the Mexican American culture...
: "And now, a band that is very excited to learn that their performance tonight counts as community service, Ozomatli!" - Austin City LimitsAustin City LimitsAustin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
featured the band on the November 13, 2004 episode preceded by The Polyphonic SpreeThe Polyphonic SpreeThe Polyphonic Spree is a choral symphonic pop rock band from Dallas, Texas that was formed in 2000 by Tim DeLaughter. The band's sound relies on a variety of vocal and instrumental color by featuring a choir, flute, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, percussion, piano, guitars, bass, drums,...
. - In January 2005, Ozomatli was the opening band of Jamcruise 3. The band made several other scheduled — and impromptu — performances during the four-day cruise.
- In March 2005, Ozomatli played at WOMAdelaideWOMADelaideWOMADelaide is an annual world music and dance festival, which was first held in 1992 in Botanic Park, Adelaide, South Australia as part of the WOMAD series of music festivals. WOMAD events are a showcase of different sorts of music, arts and dance. They encourage people to experience the music of...
, a world music festival in AdelaideAdelaideAdelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. After refusing to leave the stage 15 minutes late during one of their two night sets, they leaped into the crowd for a 45-minute encore. - The September 25, 2006 episode of the Showtime comedy/drama WeedsWeeds (TV series)Weeds is an American television comedy created by Jenji Kohan and produced by Tilted Productions in association with Lionsgate Television. The central character is Nancy Botwin , a widowed mother of two boys who begins selling marijuana to support her family after her husband dies suddenly of a...
featured the show’s opening theme music — "Little BoxesLittle Boxes"Little Boxes" is a song written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962, which became a hit for her friend Pete Seeger in 1963.The song is a political satire about the development of suburbia and associated conformist middle-class attitudes...
", written by Malvina ReynoldsMalvina ReynoldsMalvina Reynolds was an American folk/blues singer-songwriter and political activist, best known for her song-writing, particularly the songs "Little Boxes" and "Morningtown Ride".-Early life:...
— performed by Ozomatli. The second season of Weeds featured a different performer and musical genre each week for its theme song. - In February 2007, Ozomatli toured throughout IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and NepalNepalNepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, sponsored by the State Department. - On June 14, 2007 Ozomatli performed at Yerba Buena GardensYerba Buena GardensYerba Buena Gardens is the name for two blocks of public parks located between Third and Fourth, Mission and Folsom Streets in downtown San Francisco, California. The first block bordered by Mission and Howard Streets was opened in 1993. The second block, between Howard and Folsom Streets was...
in San Francisco for the Apple WWDC Bash. - From July 22 to July 30, 2007, Ozomatli toured though TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
(one performance), JordanJordanJordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
(four performances) and EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
(two performances), sponsored by the State Department. The concerts were staged in locations such as amphitheaters (Jordan), citadels (CairoCairoCairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt), and forts (Alexandria, Egypt). - On August 29, 2007, Ozomatli performed on Late Night with Conan O'BrienLate Night with Conan O'BrienLate Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
. - On April 15, 2008, Ozomatli performed "Esa Morena" live on a results show of season sixDancing with the Stars (U.S. season 6)The sixth season of Dancing with the Stars premiered on March 17, 2008; the first results show was a double-elimination episode airing on March 25, 2008. The show followed the format of previous seasons, with 12 couples....
of ABC'sAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Dancing With The Stars. - They played the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 15, 2008.
- The band headlined a feature stage (Gentilly) at the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to a crowd of thousands, featuring Chali 2Na and a local New Orleans Jr. High School jazz band on stage.
Current members
- Wil-Dog AbersWil-Dog AbersWilly "Wil-Dog" Abers is a bassist primarily for the LA-based Ozomatli band, but has also played in Los Super Seven, a Latin rock supergroup.- Early life :...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, marimbulaMarímbulaA marímbula is a folk musical instrument of the Caribbean Islands . The marímbula is usually classified as part of the lamellophone family of musical instruments. With its roots in African instruments, marimbula originated in the province of Oriente, Cuba in the 19th century...
, - Raúl Pacheco: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, tres, jarana, vocals - Justin 'El Niño' Porée: Percussion, rap vocals
- Asdrubal Sierra: TrumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, lead vocals, piano - Ulises Bella: SaxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, background vocals, requinto jarocho, keyboard, melodica - Jiro Yamaguchi: TablaTablaThe tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
, cajonCajónA cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
, assorted percussion and background vocals - Mario CalireMario CalireMario Calire was a drummer for American rock band The Wallflowers. He is currently a drummer for Ozomatli.Mario Calire's experience with drums goes back as far as he can remember. He grew up surrounded by music and credits his saxophone- and piano-playing father, Jimmy Calire, for teaching him the...
: Drums
Past/Guest members
- Chali 2naChali 2naCharles Stewart , better known as Chali 2na is an American rapper and hip hop artist, formerly associated with the groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli.-Early life:...
: Rap vocals on self-titled album and as a guest on 'Street Signs" - Chris Cano: Drums (during Mario Calire's frequent absences in 2008)
- Cut ChemistCut ChemistLucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
: TurntableTurntablismTurntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
s on Ozomatli and as a guest on Embrace the Chaos - William MarrufoWilliam MarrufoWilliam Jesus Marrufo was the drummer for the band Ozomatli.On January 5, 2005, Marrufo was arrested for beating, slashing and stabbing his mother to death with two meat cleavers and a boning knife. Marrufo informed detectives that he believed his mother was possessed by Satan and that he was...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
on Ozomatli - Jose Espinosa: Alto sax on Ozomatli (DOB Unknown – January 5, 2011)
- DJ InfamousDJ InfamousMarco Rodriguez-Diaz, better known by his stage name Infamous, is a Grammy winning record producer and three-time world champion DJ.-Biography:Infamous is a Miami Based Music Producer most known for his work with rapper Lil Wayne...
: Turntables on tour 1998 - Kid.W.I.K.: Turntables on tour 1998-2000
- Kanetic Source: Rap vocals on "Embrace The Chaos" and "Coming Up" EP
- Andy Mendoza: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
on Embrace the Chaos - Rene 'DJ Spinobi' Dominguez: TurntableTurntablismTurntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
s on Embrace the Chaos(as guest), "Coming Up", Street Signs, and Don't Mess with the Dragon - M.C. Jabu Smith-Freeman: Rap vocals on Street Signs and Don't Mess with the Dragon
- Tre Hardson (The PharcydeThe PharcydeThe Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
): rap vocals, background vocals on tours in fall 2007 and early 2008 - Sheffer Bruton: TromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
on "Street Signs" and "Dont Mess with the Dragon"
Studio albums
- OzomatliOzomatli (album)Ozomatli is the debut studio album by the Latin funk band Ozomatli, released on June 16, 1998 on Almo Sounds. The song "Cut Chemist Suite" was featured on the soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3-Track listing:# "Como Ves" – 3:57...
(1998) Almo SoundsAlmo SoundsAlmo Sounds is a record label which was started in 1994 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss after they sold A&M Records to PolyGram. The intent of the label was to recreate the initial concept of A&M Records as a small, "boutique" label.... - Embrace the ChaosEmbrace the ChaosEmbrace the Chaos is the second studio album by the Latin funk band Ozomatli, released on September 11, 2001 on Interscope Records.-Track listing:# "Pá Lante" – 5:03# "1234" – 3:07...
(2001) Interscope - Street SignsStreet Signs (album)Street Signs is an album by Ozomatli, released in 2004. Street Signs was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die....
(2004) Concord RecordsConcord RecordsConcord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
, Real World RecordsReal World RecordsReal World Records is a record label started in 1989 by Peter Gabriel to record and produce world music.-Overview:The label grew up alongside the success of the WOMAD festivals and Peter Gabriel's exploration of music from other cultures, and helped push world music into the general public's... - Don't Mess with the DragonDon't Mess with the Dragon-Track listing:# Can't Stop - 2:56# City of Angels - 3:17# After Party - 3:46# Don't Mess with the Dragon - 3:23# La Gallina - 3:05# Magnolia Soul - 3:21# Here We Go - 2:38# La Temperatura - 3:03# Violeta - 3:53# Creo - 3:15# When I Close My Eyes - 3:46...
(2007) Concord RecordsConcord RecordsConcord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his... - Fire Away (2010) Downtown RecordsDowntown RecordsDowntown Records is a record label owned and operated by Downtown Music LLC. Music on the Downtown label is distributed by Universal Music's Fontana Distribution and, for certain releases, as a joint venture with Atlantic Records and also for select releases, by Alternative Distribution Alliance...
, Mercer Street
Live albums
- Live at the FillmoreLive at the Fillmore (Ozomatli album)Live at the Fillmore is Ozomatli's second live album . The album was released as a CD/DVD, the DVD being the same performance, with extra tracks, and also special features...
(2005) Concord RecordsConcord RecordsConcord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
Other contributions
- Eklektikos Live (2005) - "Believe"
- Change is Now: Renewing America's PromiseChange Is Now: Renewing America's PromiseChange is Now: Renewing America's Promise is a compilation album released on April 28, 2009 through Hidden Beach Recordings in conjunction with the Presidential Inaugural Committee.The album includes previously released tracks from Wilco, Stevie Wonder, Death Cab for Cutie, and Common...
(2009) - "Can't Stop" - Piranha 3D (2010) - Nadas por Free
Collaborations
- "One of these Days" with SantanaCarlos SantanaCarlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
on ShamanShaman (album)Shaman is the sixteenth studio album by Santana. Shaman was released on October 22, 2002 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 298,973. It was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA and Gold in Greece.... - "Mi Gente" with Kumbia KingsKumbia KingsKumbia Kings was a Latin Grammy-winning Mexican cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas created by A.B. Quintanilla. Their music encompasses the styles of cumbia , hip hop and R&B. They produce songs in both Spanish and English. The band's producers from the beginning have been A.B. Quintanilla III...
on Kumbia Kings III (also on Ozomatli's Coming Up EP) - "April 29, 1992 (Miami)April 29, 1992 (Miami)"April 29, 1992 " is a song written by American ska punk band Sublime in 1996 from their eponymous album Sublime. The song title refers to the date of the Los Angeles riots of 1992, of which news spread throughout the United States following the acquittal of four police officers accused in the...
" a SublimeSublime (band)Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
cover on the Sublime tribute album, Look at All the Love We FoundLook at All the Love We FoundLook at All the Love We Found is a tribute album by various artists dedicated to Sublime, released on June 21, 2005 . The title comes from a lyric in the song "S.T.P." on Sublime's Robbin' the Hood album.-Track listing:... - "Whipped Cream (Anthony Marinelli Remix)" and "Love Potion #9 (Anthony Marinelli Remix)" with Herb AlpertHerb AlpertHerbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
on Whipped Cream & Other Delights - Rewhipped - "Let The Horn Blow" and "En Este Varrio" with Delinquent HabitsDelinquent HabitsDelinquent Habits is a hip hop group. Formed in East Los Angeles in 1991, they are known for their Latin-tinged rap, which is both melodic and hardcore...
on their New and Improved album
External links
- Official site
- Ozomatli videos rehearsals.com
- Ozomatli on Jambase
- 2008 Ozomatli Interview at Bandega.com
- Austin City Limits Performance (11/13/2004)
- Ozomatli on State Dept. tour in the Middle East, August 2007
- Interview with Ozomatli and songs, including "La Gallina" on PBS "Sound Tracks presents Quick Hits"