About this Artist
The ESCOVEDO FAMILY is one of the most versatile and gifted musical families worldwide. Their amazing talents cross cultural and musical barriers each time they perform, from the Northern California Bay Area to the island of Venice, Italy. Native Californian Pete Escovedo discovered and cultivated a love and passion for music, which soon led him to embrace Latin jazz and pass it on to his sons and daughters, as his father did for him. Pete has performed and toured with such respected artist as Mongo Santamaria, Bobby McFerrin, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, Billy Cobham, Boz Scaggs, Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, and Chick Corea, to name a few, with his signature sound on timbales. Pete and his brother Coke were also the founders of the history-making band Azteca, and members of early Santana.
Today, the Escovedo Family leads one of the top orchestras in the country, performing their own unique brand of Latin jazz. The collaboration with daughter Sheila E. - whose roster is a who's who of the industry, performing with artists such as Ringo Starr, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, George Duke, and countless others - keeps the rhythm solid on drums and vocals. First-born son Juan Escovedo - with his own roster of noted artists such as Patti Labelle, Lou Bega, En Vogue, Herbie Hancock, and many more - on congas and vocals brings his flavor of pop and R&B to the table and captivates audiences with his versatility. Youngest son Peter Michael, who received a Emmy nomination for his work as music director and producer for the Wayne Brady Show - his list also includes Mariah Carey, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Nicks, George Michael, and music director for the Martin Short Show, to name but a few - assists Pete in leading the band and electrifies the crowd on bongos, drums, and vocals.
The Escovedo Family is a force to be reckoned with. Their memorable performance with the late Tito Puente was chronicled beautifully in Latina Familia. In addition, the family can be seen in the Latin pop culture movie, Chasing Papi, performing their original track "Escolandia" along with the title track "Favorite Fantasy" co-written by Sheila E. Collectively they are the latest evolution of one of the most amazing musical family dynasties that continues to deliver a colorful and powerful concoction of music to soothe the soul.
The Escovedo Family's contribution to the community is exemplary; they take pride in giving back by assisting families and children in need through introducing the power of healing through music.
11/06