World-class drummer and percussionist whose credits read like chapters in a music history book: Ringo Starr. Marvin Gaye, Prince, Beyoncé, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan and George Duke. Grammy & Emmy Award-nominated singer/songwriter behind the seminal hits "The Glamorous Life" and "A Love Bizarre." A fearless multi-instrumentalist, equally proficient on guitar and bass. Actress. Mentor. Philanthropist.
Family, faith and music were guiding forces for Sheila E. growing up in the Bay Area. In addition to percussionist dad Pete, the Oakland, Calif. native counts former Santana member/Azteca founder Coke Escovedo and The Dragons frontman Mario Escovedo as uncles. Fellow Latin star Tito Puente was her godfather. So it's no surprise that after such a music-immersive childhood, the gifted drummer/percussionist began amassing an impressive string of credits playing not only with her dad but also with pioneering talents like George Duke, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and Herbie Hancock. Following a Bay Area gig in the late '70s, Sheila E. met mentor Prince backstage. Their Purple Rain recording sessions-including her vocals on the 1984 classic "Erotic City"-morphed into launching her solo career that same year.