Ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR WAYNE AT THE CONCERT AND MID-DAY RECEPTION FOR OZOMATLI
February 5, 2008
Thanks everyone for being here today.
As US Ambassador and a music fan, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you here and to able to introduce you to Ozomatli. Ozomatli is a Latin rock and hip-hop band from LA which has been playing together since 1995. The band has released 5 albums and has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Ozomatli always brings an artful touch to its mix of funk, rock, hip-hop, traditional Latin forms, Asian instrumentation and more. Ozomatli has multiple laurels under their belts, including two Grammy awards, a Latin Grammy (and multiple nominations), two Billboard Latin awards and an Alma award, countless film, TV, commercial and game placements, and U.S. tours with Santana, the Dave Matthews band, The Lonely Boys and Lenny Kravitz .
Ozomatli performed in Buenos Aires last Saturday and will perform at the Cosquin Rock in Cordoba on Friday. In addition to their concerts, they are very interested in meeting Argentines from all walks of life to share their special talent with as many people as possible. As US Ambassador, I am very grateful for their generosity in sharing their time and talent. As US Cultural Ambassadors they have already created a great deal of good will.
Today, we wanted Ozomatli to have the opportunity of meeting some very special Argentine youth. Please welcome Ulises Bella, tenor sax, clarinet and vocals; Wil-Dog Abers, bass and vocals; Raul Pacheco, guitar and vocals; Justin Poree, percussion and vocals; Asdru Sierra, trumpet and vocals; Jiro Yamaguchi, percussion; Chris Cano, drums and Sheffer Bruton, trombone.
