Pete Escovedo Orchestra: 91St Birthday Celebration!
Grammy-winning percussionist Pete Escovedo celebrates his 91st birthday with a multi-night run featuring his renowned Latin Jazz Orchestra. For over six decades, Escovedo has been a driving force in Latin jazz, breaking down barriers between salsa, smooth jazz, and contemporary music with an infectious blend of rhythm and melody.
Escovedo's percussion mastery — especially on timbales — remains commanding and precise, even as he approaches his tenth decade. He formed the supergroup AZTECA with his brother Coke in 1970, a 16-piece ensemble that toured with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. His musical journey includes three albums recorded with Carlos Santana (Moonflower, Oneness, Inner Secrets) and collaborations with legends like Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Cal Tjader, Prince, Chick Corea, and countless others. In 1978, he and his daughter Sheila E. recorded two albums on Fantasy Records: Solo Two and Happy Together.
The Pete Escovedo Orchestra delivers what audiences have come to expect: high-energy, tightly orchestrated Latin jazz with sizzling horn arrangements, spirited soloists, and an unstoppable groove. Past performances have featured Escovedo's children — conguero Juan, drummer-percussionist Peter Michael, and the formidable Sheila E. — creating what one reviewer called "a kind of musical art you can't experience elsewhere." The family chemistry is palpable, as they trade licks and swap parts with supernatural precision, Pete clearly delighted to share the stage with his musical progeny.
Expect an ever-shifting mix of styles: Latin jazz standards, funk-inflected grooves, and even unexpected covers, all delivered with the kind of polish and joy that comes from a lifetime of commanding stages. Escovedo knows how to make an audience laugh too, bringing warmth and personality to the proceedings. Reviews consistently describe the experience as "out of this world," with talent that's "unprecedented" and music that's "absolutely alive with energy."
This birthday celebration is a rare chance to witness a living legend at the peak of his powers, backed by a world-class ensemble and quite possibly joined by special guests from the Escovedo musical dynasty.