Raul Pacheco
Singing, Songwriting
Raul Pacheco is a native Angeleno from Boyle Heights and a founding member of the band Ozomatli. A three-time Grammy winner who has represented his hometown in over 60 countries, Pacheco has also performed in correctional facilities with Ozomatli as well as the musician Wayne Kramer (of the MC5) as part of Jail Guitar Doors USA.
Raul’s personal musical mission is to help continue the unique experience offered in the development of songwriting and song presentation. When he isn’t writing songs for himself, Ozomatli, and bands like Los Lonely Boys, he can be found participating on panels in correctional facilities on topics around mental health, recovery, and transition. His other work in juvenile detention centers and adult institutions has consisted of performances, panels, donations of instruments for classes.
Raul has been a Teaching Artist with ACTA since 2020, offering courses in Singing and Songwriting at the California Institute for Men. He has personally experienced seeing people from his community, family, and close relations directly impacted by incarceration. He believes that through songs and songwriting, there is the opportunity to bring meaning and joyful moments to people as a way to connect to hope and inspiration as a way of healing.
