Sheila E

Biography

Sheila Escovedo, known professionally as Sheila E., was born in 1957 in Oakland, California, into a renowned musical family of Mexican and French Creole ancestry. The daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo, who played with Santana, and influenced by uncles Coke Escovedo, Alejandro Escovedo, Mario Escovedo, Javier Escovedo, and godfather Tito Puente, she began mimicking her father's drum movements at age three and gave her first public performance at age five to an audience of 3,000. At 15, she filled in on congas with her father's band Azteca, and by 19, she recorded on Alphonso Johnson's jazz album Yesterday’s Dream, leaving high school to pursue percussion professionally.[1][5][6][8]

Fun Facts

• Earned the title 'Queen of Percussion' for her dynamic drumming style and became the only female percussionist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.[1][3]
• Met Prince backstage after a gig in the 1970s; he had been following her career, leading to her vocals on 'Erotic City' and launching her solo singing career.[4][5]
• Received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 after seven decades of performing.[1][3]
• Assembled and led the band E-Train in 1994 after a touring hiatus due to health issues.[8]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Pete Escovedo - father and primary influence, taught percussion from childhood (Azteca band performances, 1978 joint album) [1970s onward]
• George Duke - early band leader who encouraged creative freedom in percussion (George Duke Band tours and recordings) [late 1970s]
• Tito Puente - godfather and stylistic influence in Latin percussion (family musical inspiration) [childhood]

Key Collaborators

• Prince - drummer, musical director, vocalist, and close friend (Purple Rain Tour, Erotic City, Sign O' the Times, Black Album, Lovesexy) [1977-1989]
• Marvin Gaye - percussionist on tours (live performances) [early 1980s]
• Ringo Starr - band member in All-Starr Band (tours) [1990s]
• Beyoncé - percussionist on performances (live shows) [2000s onward]
• Herbie Hancock - collaborator in performances (tours and recordings) [1980s]

Artists Influenced

• E-Train members - bandleader of her soul-Latin jazz-funk-gospel fusion group (E-Train recordings and tours) [1994 onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Glamorous Life (The Glamorous Life)
2. A Love Bizarre (Romance 1600)
3. The Glamorous Life - Club Edit (The Glamorous Life)
4. On the Road
5. Bemba Colorá (feat. Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar)
6. Mi Rumba y Tambor (feat. India) (Bailar (Deluxe))
7. that’s right (feat. Sheila E) (chemistry)
8. The Belle of St. Mark (The Glamorous Life)
9. that’s right (feat. Sheila E) (chemistry (Deluxe))
10. The Glamorous Life (Re-Recorded)

External Links

• Spotify