Sheila E. & The E-Train

Sheila E. & The E-Train is the highly dynamic and focused band led by the legendary “Queen of Percussion,” Sheila E. (Sheila Escovedo), serving as her primary vehicle for showcasing her mastery as a drummer and her deep roots in jazz and Latin music. While Sheila E. is globally famous for her pop-funk hits like “The Glamorous Life” and her collaborations with Prince, The E-Train project shifts the spotlight onto her incredible rhythmic virtuosity and versatility across a complex blend of Afro-Cuban jazz, funk, fusion, and smooth jazz. This iteration of her band allows her to step fully into the drum seat and drive the entire show, performing extended instrumental jams and arrangements from her own works, covers, and classic Latin jazz pieces, often featuring her brother Peter Michael Escovedo on percussion as well. The music is characterized by tight, fiery percussion textures, soulful saxophone solos (sometimes featuring Eric Leeds), and a funky, improvisational energy, reflecting the Bay Area fusion influences she grew up with, and providing a powerful, high-caliber showcase of her technical brilliance that is often described as a spontaneous and joyous live experience.