Pete Escovedo Orchestra: 91St Birthday Celebration!

Grammy-winning percussionist Pete Escovedo marks his 91st birthday with a three-night celebration bringing six decades of Latin jazz mastery to life. A legendary timbalero who broke down barriers between smooth jazz, salsa, and Latin jazz, Escovedo has been synonymous with the genre since forming the supergroup AZTECA with his brother Coke in 1970. That 16-piece ensemble toured with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations, setting the stage for a career that would see him record three albums with Carlos Santana (Moonflower, Oneness, Inner Secrets) and collaborate with an astounding roster: Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, Prince, Chick Corea, and many more.

Expect the Pete Escovedo Orchestra to deliver what one reviewer called "out of this world" — a vibrant, high-energy set where Escovedo's confident timbales work anchors a tight ensemble of horns, keyboards, guitar, and bass. The music blends the funky end of Latin jazz with sizzling salsa rhythms and smooth jazz sensibilities, all driven by the percussion battery that has become the Escovedo family signature. Despite his years, Pete remains sprightly on stage, his chops, cuts, and fills on timbales everything you'd expect from a player of his stature.

This birthday celebration promises to be a true family affair. The Escovedo clan — including sons Juan on congas and Peter Michael on drums, and quite possibly daughter Sheila E. — often join Pete onstage, trading licks and swapping parts in the groove with almost supernatural precision. When the family comes together, they create what one audience member described as "a kind of musical art you can't experience elsewhere."

The set typically draws from Escovedo's deep catalog while showcasing the interplay between family members and the backing orchestra. Expect spirited renditions that move from melodic, orchestral moments to pure, unleashed energy — the kind of show that has audiences on their feet. As one longtime fan put it after seeing the group at Yoshi's: "What an amazing jam of Latin Jazz... When this band comes together and jams it creates a kind of musical art you can't experience elsewhere."

This isn't just a concert; it's a celebration of a living legend who remains in the pocket and in command, still bringing the same vitality that powered his 2010 Live from Stern Grove recording and countless performances before it.