Since 2010, the Oakland Jazz Festival has entertained the Bay Area with some of the best in music. This year won’t disappoint!
No stranger to the Bay Area, the Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz, Salsa, Latin Jazz and contemporary music and has since performed for more than 50 years. Born in Pittsburg, CA, his musical journey began while attending high school in Oakland, CA. At the age of sixteen, he began playing the saxophone and then discovered percussion which became his love of rhythm and his dream of playing Latin Jazz music.
After performing with various bands, in 1960 Pete and his brothers, Coke and Phil Escovedo formed the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz band, performing around the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1970, Pete and Coke formed the band “Azteca” that toured the United States with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. They recorded two albums on Columbia records which are now considered collector’s items, “Azteca” and “Pyramid of the Moon.”
He has worked with a wide range of artists such as Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Mongo Santamaria, Bobby McFerrin, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman, Stephen Stills, Billy Cobham, Anita Baker, (the late) George Duke, Boz Scaggs, Andy Narell, Al Jarreau, Ray Obiedo, Dionne Warwick, Marlena Shaw, (the late) Barry White, Angela Bofill, Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Chick Corea, Dave Valentine, Najee, Gerald Albright, and Prince, among numerous others. Pete Escovedo has performed with his orchestra at the White House for President Barack Obama.
For additional information go to www.Oaklandjazzfestival.com. Tickets are on sale now at the Paramount Theatre (with no service charge) and all Ticketmaster outlets.
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