Grammy winners Ozomatli headline Festival Americas

For nearly a quarter century the Los Angeles based band Ozomatli has been challenging Latin music norms and exceeding expectations, and this Saturday the acclaimed group of musicians and social activists will grace the stage at Guthrie Green as the headline act at Festival Americas.

On what seems to be a never-ending tour, Ozomatli has wowed crowds everywhere from the UK to Hawaii, and this weekend it’s Tulsa’s turn to get up and dance to the group’s infectious rhythms.

Ozomatli explains its latest recording as “an album of classic and contemporary Mexican hits reimagined with a Jamaican feel. Titled Nonstop: Mexico Jamaica, it pays homage to the music that many of the band members grew up listening to, inspiring them to reconnect and reinterpret songs that defined their youth.”

Formed in L.A. in 1995 and described as a “multicultural salsa-meringue-hiphop-funk band,” in 2007 Ozomatli was named by the U.S. State department as cultural ambassadors, and later performed for President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama.

The multiple Grammy Award winning act is also known for its strong sense of social justice and has championed issues ranging from workers’ rights to the fair treatment of immigrants.

Ozomatli has been praised for putting on “one of the most exciting, captivating and flat-out fun live shows touring today,” so don’t miss the chance to witness the “Gods of Dance” for yourself this Saturday night at Festival Americas. It’s a free, family friendly show. (La Semana)