Grammy-winning band brings the party


CRAZY CACOPHONY—Ozomatli brings its genre-defying music to the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks for an 8 p.m. show Feb. 18. The group’s latest album,”“Marching On, “ was released last spring. Courtesy photo

CRAZY CACOPHONY—Ozomatli brings its genre-defying music to the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks for an 8 p.m. show Feb. 18. The group’s latest album,”“Marching On, “ was released last spring. Courtesy photo

Defined by innovation, creative lyrics and ethnically diverse sounds, Ozomatli will perform at 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 18 in the Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Ozomatli’s music is as multifaceted as its members and influences. Meeting as young political activists and musicians, the original band formed in Los Angeles in 1995 to play an urban Latino-and-beyond collision of hip-hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East L.A. R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian raga.

Their music has been recognized with three Grammy Awards for Best Latin Rock/ Alternative Album and Best Alternative Music Album, among others.

The City of Los Angeles declared April 23 as Ozomatli Day in recognition of the band’s contribution for more than 25 years to the city’s cultural life.

Ozomatli is committed to social justice and uses the music as an outlet to speak on human rights, including Indigenous rights in the Zapatista movement and women’s rights.

Ozomatli’s been named cultural ambassadors for the U.S. State Department and was the first musical group to speak at the TED Conference.

“It’s a tough line to tread, but Ozomatli does it effortlessly, throwing the kind of party most bands dream about while never undermining its all-encompassing spirit of unity,” Variety magazine said.

The band comprises six members: Wil-Dog Abers, Ulises Bella, Raul Pacheco, Justin Poree, Asdru Sierra and Jiro Yamaguchi. The band recently released a new album, “Marching On,” on Blue Élan Records.

Tickets are $42 to $62 and are available from Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com or through the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza box office.

For more information, call (805) 449-2787 or go to www.bapacthousandoaks.com.