The Grammy-winning U.S. band Ozomatli, began their first-ever tour of Indonesia with an invitation-only concert in Jakarta at Gedung Kesenian.  The nine-day tour, titled “Diversity Rocks,”  ran from March 25 to April 3.  Ozomatli  performed in both public and private venues and will also play with Indonesian musicians, and worked with children and aspiring young musicians.  In addition to the performances in Jakarta, Ozomatli also performed in Surabaya at Surya Park, on March 29^th, and in Palembang at BKB Plaza on March 31^st.  

Based in Los Angeles, California, Ozomatli is renowned for both their high-energy live performances and the diversity of their music, which include influences from salsa, jazz, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and Latin sounds.  The multi-ethnic makeup of the band reflects the diverse nature of U.S. society, and their tour is designed to show how music builds bridges between diverse cultures like the U.S. and Indonesia.  Ozomatli has performed live commercial tours around the world including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and Mexico.  The band has also performed in U.S. State Department-sponsored tours in Egypt, Jordan, India, Nepal, and Argentina. 

Ozomatli has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award, a Latin Grammy Award, a Billboard Latin Award, and the Latino Spirit.  They have also recorded music for numerous films and television soundtracks, including Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Any Given Sunday, The Guardian, ER, Sex and the City, and The Weeds.  Ozomatli has also toured with other major U.S. recording artists including Santana, The Dave Matthews Band, Lenny Kravitz, and The Offspring.  

For a more information about U.S. Embassy Jakarta, please visit the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/.