Pete Escovedo Born in Pittsburg, California, July 13th, 1935, his musical journey commenced while attending high school in Oakland, CA. At the age of sixteen, he began playing the saxophone and then discovered percussion, which led to his love of rhythm and his dream of playing Latin Jazz music. After performing in various bands, in 1960 Pete and his brothers, Coke and Phil, formed the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz Band, performing around the Bay Area. In 1970, Pete and Coke put together the band Azteca, that then toured the United States with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They recorded two albums on Columbia Records, Azteca and Pyramid of the Moon, which are now both considered collectors’ items. 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, 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. He also performed with his orchestra in the White House for President Barack Obama, twice.