Grammy Winning Ozomatli Receives Latino Spirit Award for Contributions to Latino Community in California & Beyond

Award Presented by Members of the California Latino Caucus in Sacramento on May 2nd; In 2005, Ozomatli Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary With First Live CD / DVD Release

Ozomatli's prolific decade-long history includes a slew of critically acclaimed CDs, two GRAMMY wins (the most recent for "Street Signs") and a Latin GRAMMY nomination. Now, the band, which was born from a fundraising concert for the Peace and Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles and has since earned a reputation for mixing music with politics, will receive a Latino Spirit Award for its contributions to the Latino community of California.

The Latino Spirit Awards recognizes those recording artists, actors, writers, athletes, activists and educators that have achieved significant success in their field or contributed to change within their community. The winners are selected by the Latino Legislative Caucus, a 27-member committee that has in the past honored boxer Oscar de la Hoya, actors Andy Garcia and Rita Moreno, Nickelodeon, Olympic speed skater Derek Parra, political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, recording artist Carlos Santana and more.

This year's Latino Spirit Awards will be presented by Chair of the Latino Caucus Senator, Martha Escutia; Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus, Joe Coto; and Lt. Governor Cruz M. Bustamante at the State Capital Building in Sacramento on May 2nd as part of California's Latino Heritage celebrations. Other recipients of the 4th annual awards include journalist and author Ruben Martinez, civil and human rights advocate Cruz Reynoso, and 2004 Olympian Jaime Nieto.

On April 21st, Ozomatli received a BMI Latin Award for "Mi Gente," a collaboration with The Kumbia Kings from the band's 2004 EP "Coming Up." The group also performed in an all-star tribute to BMI Icon Award recipient Carlos Santana. Ozomatli is a nominee for Best Latin Rock / Alternative Album of the Year at the 2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards, the winners of which will be announced live on Telemundo on April 28th.

In May, Ozomatli embarks on its first concert tour with another GRAMMY winning ensemble, Los Lonely Boys. Confirmed stops for the "Brotherhood Tour" include Hidalgo, Austin and El Paso, TX, Albuquerque, NM and Tucson, AZ, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, CA and Red Rocks, CO (log onto www.loslonelyboys.org for more information).

In August, Ozomatli will release its first commercially available live CD, "Live at the Fillmore." This special package, which is slated for release over the summer, includes a bonus DVD of rare and exclusive concert footage from the Fillmore in San Francisco from Winter 2004, behind-the-scenes clips, and interviews with fans and band members.

For more information on Ozomatli, as well as an up-to-date tour schedule, log onto www.ozomatli.com.