She is the Queen of Percussion, and so much more: Sheila E. is a percussionist, singer, songwriter, versatile session musician and actress. As the daughter of the famous jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo (whom she will bring to the festival this year), the multi-talented American was born with a taste for drums and congas. Although the world got to know her mid-eighties as Prince’s artistic partner in crime, she was taking important musical steps before that, playing percussion for Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock and Marvin Gaye, among others. In the 1980s, the collaboration with His Royal Badness led to world fame and huge success with hits such as The Glamorous Life, The Belle Of St. Mark and A Love Bizarre. Remaining part of Prince’s backing band until the early 1990s, Sheila E. collaborated with many other artists as well, such as Phil Collins, Gloria Estefan and Beyoncé. Last year she released her ninth album, Bailar, and the single Bemba Colorá, for which she was awarded her very first Grammy, for Best Global Music Performance.
