 Pete Escovedo © Amdrea Canter
Pete Escovedo's Latin Jazz Orchestra featuring sons Juan & Peter Michael Escovedo will perform at Yoshi's in San Francisco on Friday, February 10th through Sunday, February 12th. Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz and contemporary music. Pete Escovedo has been a major force in Latin music since the late 1960's, and his versatility has resulted in success in several areas of music, from Latin jazz and salsa to rock and Latin pop. After touring with Santana for a few years, Pete and brother Coke Escovedo founded the 14-piece Latin big band Azteca, recording two albums for Columbia.
Born in Pittsburg, CA, July 13th, 1935, Pete Escovedo began his musical journey while attending high school in Oakland, CA. At the age of sixteen, he began playing the saxophone and then discovered percussion which became his love of rhythm and his dream of playing Latin Jazz music.  Pete Escovedo with sons Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo In 1970 Pete and Coke formed the band “Azteca” that toured the United States with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They recorded two albums on Columbia records which are now considered collectors items, “Azteca” and “Pyramid of the Moon”. In 1972 Pete toured and performed with the Carlos Santana band and recorded three major albums, “Moonflower”, “Oneness” and “Inner Secrets”. In 1978 Pete and daughter Sheila E. recorded two albums on Fantasy records “Solo Two” and “Happy Together” which were produced by Billy Cobham. Pete’s versatility as a Percussionist has been featured in performances and recordings by a wide range of Artists such as Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Mongo Santamaria, Bobby McFerrin, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, Stephen Stills, Billy Cobham, Anita Baker, George Duke, Boz Scaggs, Andy Narell, Al Jarreau, Ray Obiedo, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, Barry White, Angela Bofill, Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Chick Corea, Dave Valentine, Najee, Gerald Albright, Prince, and the list goes on. As a solo artist Pete has recorded 6 acclaimed albums on Concord Records: Yesterday’s Memories, Tomorrow’s Dreams - Live in Concert (1987), Mister E (1988) - nominated for a Grammy, Flying South (1996), E - Street (1997), E - Music (2000), and Pete Escovedo Live (2003). Pete has also received numerous awards including: 1983 Jammie Jazz Musician Of The Year, 1984 Bammie Latin Musician Of The Year, 1989 Grammy Nomination for Mister E, San Francisco State College Purple Globe Award, Ronald Dellums Congressional Award, National Recording Academy Governors Award San Francisco Chapter and Chicago Chapter, California Arts and Council Award, ABC Television Profile of Excellence Award. Pete Escovedo believes that there is healing through music and has donated his time to numerous charity events to help children around the world by teaching the importance of music. Today Mr. Pete Escovedo leads one of the top Latin-Jazz Orchestras in the country performing his own unique sound and continues to deliver his music throughout the world.
Yoshi’s in San Francisco is located at 1330 Fillmore Street. Reservations at www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/. |
SF Bay Area 
Sunday, 26 May 2013
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