Ozomatli To Perform At CWU

November 16, 2004

Contact: Lola Gallagher (509-963-1677/fax 509-963-3561/e-mail: gallaghl@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Ozomatli -- a band that has been called a fresh, cross-cultural blending of rock, hip-hop, rap, salsa, Latin jazz, deejay beats, Mexican and Arabic music -- will perform at Central Washington University on Monday, Nov. 29. The 8 p.m. concert will take place in the Samuelson Union Building (SUB) Ballroom.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets, $7 for CWU students and $12 general admission, are available at the SUB Recreation ticket counter and Jerrol's Book and Supply Co., or by calling (509) 963-3513.

Prior to its new release "Street Signs," the last time the Los Angeles-based group released an album was Sept. 11, 2001. While most bands in the U.S. responded to the terrorist attacks on the country by canceling their concerts, Ozomatli's multiracial crew decided to keep their dates.

"Music is the key to every culture, the beginning of an understanding," says the band's trumpet player and co-vocalist Asdru Sierra. "September 11 really pushed us to delve into North African and Arab music. For us, music is a language far more universal than politics."

Street Signs, the band's first full-length studio album in three years, bears this new Middle Eastern influence out in typical "Ozo" style, by mixing it into their trademark blend of hip-hop and Latin styles.

"After eight years of being together our overall comfort level with ourselves and with our playing has really grown," explains tenor saxophonist Ulises Bella. "The songs venture off to a lot of different areas. That's the beauty of Ozomatli, being able to do things really differently than everyone else."

For more information about the CWU performance, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1677, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.