SHEILA E.

Emmy & Grammy Nominee Sheila Escovedo picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, while watching her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo rehearse. Sheila delivered her first solo performance to a live audience two years later and has since established herself as one of the most talented percussionist/drummers and performers in the world. Best known to music fans as Sheila E., she became a top session and touring musician before the age of 20, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun and countless others. Later with Marvin Gaye on his final world tour, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, and Steve Nicks among others.In the 1980’s, Sheila’s friend Prince helped to catapult her to her own pop superstardom. Her obvious talent and hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre,” plus her pivotal work on other Prince-related projects contributed to her international stardom. Particularly proud moments include her participation in the “We Are The World” session, and a memorable performance on the Oscars with virtuoso Placido Domingo.In recent years, she has served as musical director for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce’ Knowles, and Prince. Her producing and arranging talents have been showcased on the Latin Grammy Awards, Summer Olympics, WOW Awards, ALMA’s, and the Image Awards. Including becoming television’s first female musical director for Magic Johnson’s “The Magic Hour,” Sheila’s enthusiasm for “passing it on” to a new generation of players led her to design “ClassE” Custom Series for adults, and the “Sheila E.’s Player Series,” for children, both with TOCA distributed by Kaman Music. • Recently received a Doctorate of Music Degree from MI • Honored with a 2010 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for “Fiesta Latina, A Performance at the White House” • Appeared for the 3rd consecutive time as featured drummer for Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band tours • Was a celebrity judge on Fox’s “The Next Great American Band” • Was the Grand Prize Winner of “Gone Country 3” on CMT • Recently released The E Family CD entitled “Now & Forever” with Father Pete Escovedo, and brothers Juan and Peter Michael Escovedo under her own label Stilettoflats Records. "Now & Forever" can be purchased through the E Family website at www.the-e-family.com and during ALL Prince shows at The Forum in Los Angeles. • Sheila is currently touring with The E Family and making special guest appearances with Prince during his "Welcome 2 America" tour Despite her commitment to, and the demands of making music, Sheila maintains a heavy involvement in charitable organizations as a philanthropist, with her passion as co-founder & chair of the Elevate Hope Foundation, focusing on the needs of victims of child abuse, by promoting music and arts education as an alternative form of therapy.