For anyone over a certain age, thoughts of when life was perfect always creep into the mind. The days when life was simply better. People were better, things were clear and defined, and the music was pure. Sheila E. represents an era when talent was real, and everyone lived the glamorous life in their own way.
Born in Oakland, California, Sheila E. is the daughter of Juanita Gardere, a dairy factory worker, and percussionist Pete Escovedo, with whom she frequently performed. Her mother is of Creole-French/African descent, and her father is of Mexican American descent.
“I was very fortunate to have the background that I have. We always celebrated all the cultures we belong to in my home, and it helped shape who I am as a proud woman today,” Sheila said.
They didn’t watch much TV in her house when she was growing up because music was the center of their lives.
When she was young, Sheila had different plans for her future.
“Ever since I was little, I was preparing myself for the Olympics in track and field,” Sheila said.
Life would change her musical talent when she went from listening to her father and his band practice at the house to join a jam session. Sheila knew from that moment that she would pursue music, just like her father.
She began her career in the mid-70s as a percussionist for The George Duke Band. After separating from the group in 1983, Sheila began a solo career, starting with the release of her debut album in 1984, which included her biggest hit song “The Glamorous Life.” She also saw a hit with the single “A Love Bizarre.”
Sheila performed three stints as one of the members of “All-Starrs,” the Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, in 2001, 2003, and 2006. Her drum “duets” with Starr are a moment of comic relief in the show, where they play the same parts, but he quickly falls behind, shrugs, and smiles as she takes off on an extended percussion solo.
In 2002, Sheila appeared on the Beyoncé song “Work It Out.” In 2004, Sheila toured New Zealand as drummer and percussionist for the Abe Laboriel Band. That same year, she also was featured on Tonéx’s Out the Box on the song “Todos Juntos.” She also played drums on Cyndi Lauper’s hit album of standard covers, At Last. She played percussion on the song “Stay.” Sheila joined Lauper on a live version of that song on VH1 Divas.
Sheila also performed at Prince’s One Nite Alone… Live! concert, Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas in 2003, 36th NAACP Image Awards in 2005, and on the Good Morning show in June 2006. In 2005, Sheila was a surprise guest orchestrating a band, in Amerie’s “1 Thing” performances for The Lady of Soul & World Music Awards.
In February 2006, Sheila E. performed with Prince (and Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman) once again at the BRIT Awards. She performed at the Sonoma Jazz Festival in 2006 as part of Herbie Hancock’s band featuring Larry Carlton, Terrence Blanchard, Marcus Miller, and Terri Lyne Carrington.
In 2013, Sheila began recording her seventh album. In November 2013, she released her album Icon in the UK. The album was also Sheila’s first release of her own recording label Stilettoflats Music. In September 2014, she released her autobiography Beat of My Own Drum. In November 2014, her album Icon was internationally released.
Sheila rose to fame alongside other artists like Prince and The Time. She continued to grow in popularity. And began acting in movies. Her stage presence and ability to drive her percussions have amazed fans for over thirty years and continue today as she tours the country playing new music from her latest release, Sheila E. & the E-Train.
The CD launches BAILAR, the first-ever salsa song from Sheila, featuring guest performances by Luis Enrique, Tony Succar, and Mychael Gabriel! The CD continues with amazing music that everyone has come to know from Sheila and her amazing percussion.
“We continue to play music every day in my house and that is celebrated when we tour around the country,” Sheila said.
Sheila emits a quiet confidence about her music, her past, and her future. Her consistency for her craft and reputation makes her a legend in the music industry. Her charm and charisma never disappoint if you have the chance to meet her and her soft voice is totally opposite her vibrant shows that she and her music team perform night after night.
Next month, Sheila E. and her band will perform at the Ohio Black Expo, in Columbus, Ohio on May 25th through May 28th as the headliner.
Ohio Black Expo is a statewide humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s African American citizens by establishing and encouraging an independent self-help approach to problem-solving.
“I have always had a good time when we come to Ohio, and I look forward to performing there again,” she said.
Sheila lives a balanced life to ensure that she is getting the most out of life. “I do a little bit of everything. My life is surrounded by music and the arts, as well as sports and competition. We love to compete and have fun and experience family and friends. But mostly living a godly life, that is healthy and happy is what I covet the most.”
When Sheila is not touring, she works on her foundation. She started the foundation with her best friend and bandmate, Lynn Mabry, to help children in foster care use music as therapy. She uses the foundation to help the kids in the Bay area, where she grew up, to overcome life’s challenges by using music to discover parts of themselves they don’t know they have.
“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to do with the foundation,” Sheila said. “It has helped so many kids see life from their own talents and helped them through a difficult time.”
Sheila has been honored for her efforts in music and life and has been praised as one of the pioneers for Latina women in music.
In February 2009, she was made an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority by the Chapter located at Howard University in recognition of her humanitarian efforts through and in music. She and her friend Lynn Mabry are also the co-founders of Elevate Oakland, a nonprofit that uses music and art to serve the needs of youth in Oakland public schools. Sheila E., along with her father, was presented with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
Life has been amazing to Sheila because she has honored her gift and talent by never taking it for granted, by sharing it with others, and always understanding her blessing. She truly is living a glamorous life. ●
If you would like to purchase Sheila E. latest music, you can visit https://sheilae.com/
