Pete Escovedo
@ Pigeon Island, St. Lucia Jazz Festival
13 May 2007

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The beauty and charm of Pigeon Island during the day, or night, never fails to excite the senses. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Caribbean Sea on the other, delicately lit palm trees gently kissing the sky, combined with the anticipation of a tremendous musical experience is surely enough to warm the coolest hearts.

Pete Escovedo – biography

Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz and contemporary music. His name has been synonymous in the music industry for more than 50 years.

Born in Pittsburg, CA, July 13, 1935, he 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.

After performing with various bands, Pete formed the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz band with his brothers, Coke and Phil in 1960. The band performed around the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 1970, Pete and Coke formed the band Azteca. This band would tour the United States with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They also recorded two albums on Columbia records, “Azteca” and “Pyramid of the Moon”.

In 1972, Pete Escovedo toured and performed with the Carlos Santana band and recorded three major albums, “Moonflower”, “Oneness” and “Inner Secrets”.

In 1978, Pete Escovedo recorded the albums “Solo Two” and “Happy Together” with Sheila E (his daughter) on the Fantasy record label.

Escovedo has won numerous awards such as Jammie Jazz Musician Of The Year (1983) Bammie Latin Musician Of The Year (1984) 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 and the ABC Television Profile of Excellence Award.

Pete Escovedo’s versatility as a percussionist has been featured in performances and recordings by a wide range of artists such as Carlos Santana, Tito Puento, 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 Saandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Chick Corea, Dave Valentine, Najee, Gerald Albright, Prince, and the list goes on.