Ozomatli is America’s secret weapon to promote peace and human understanding. As official cultural ambassadors for the U.S. State Department, the unlikely band of urban musicians travels the world. On Saturday, Ozomatli joins conductor Steven Reineke and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops for a kaleidoscope of Latino, hip-hop, salsa, samba, funk, merengue, Jamaican reggae, Indian raga and the native styles of the newest Los Angeles immigrants.
Their spokesman, Ulises Bella, is a veritable one-man band. He plays saxophone, clarinet, keyboard, melodica and the requinto jarocho, which he describes as a traditional small guitar from Veracruz, Mexico. Its style and shape were influenced by the Africans who emigrated to Mexico.
| ONSTAGE |
| Ozomatli |
| » Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW |
| » When: 8 p.m. Saturday |
| » Info: $20 to $65 at 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org |
Bella has been in the band since its beginning 16 years ago. Growing up in a musical family, he was guided by his father, a violinist with perfect pitch.
“He didn’t permit messing around,” Bella said. “There were lots of musical opportunities for kids in L.A. at that time. We had wonderful music instruction in the public schools and the Saturday Conservatory was open to all children who wanted to attend. We missed out on the TV cartoons, but we learned music and were encouraged by our professors that we could do whatever we wanted to do.”
By the time their self-titled debut album was released in 1998, they were performing everywhere, from inner-city schools to protest rallies, fundraisers and activist events. Ozomatli quickly became the official band of their hometown. Their name, the Nahuatl word for the Aztec astrological symbol of the monkey, incorporates his qualities as god of dance, fire, the new harvest and music into their purpose.
Since 2007, they have toured the world as our nation’s representatives, performing free public concerts, presenting master classes and jamming with youngsters and local musicians in such unexpected locations as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and a Palestinian refugee camp.
