[GALA] Pete Escovedo: The California Art Tour // SF

MCCLA proudly presents Pete Escovedo: The California Art Tour – San Francisco Chapter!

Join us in honoring the legendary Afro-Latino percussionist with a one-of-a-kind visual art exhibit, a VIP Gala celebrating his 90th birthday, and a special culinary contest for local chefs and bakers! 🎨🥁🍽️

This VIP Gala Fundraiser is more than a birthday party—it’s an intimate tribute to a man whose music and art have shaped generations. Known for his groundbreaking work blending Latin jazz, salsa, and contemporary rhythms, Pete Escovedo is also an accomplished visual artist. For one night only, explore his paintings, memorabilia, and musical legacy in a multi-sensory celebration.

Experience Pete’s legacy through music, art, and community — and if you’re a chef or baker, this is your chance to be part of the celebration!

🗓️ Gala Date: Saturday, July 19 | 4–7PM
📍 MCCLA – 2868 Mission Street, San Francisco.

Buy gala tickets here.

Video of Pete & daughter Sheila E.:

A GREAT moment to remember. What an honor it was playing at the White House for President Obama with my daughter Sheila E.

About gala:

Join us for a historic celebration honoring the legendary Pete Escovedo — iconic Latin jazz percussionist, trailblazing artist, and cultural visionary — as he turns 90! Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM.

This is more than a birthday — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Bay Area history and cultural legacy. ❤️‍🔥

Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring:

🎶 Live performance by the incredible Key Elements Elements Latin Jazz Ensemble [photo below].
🖼️ A curated art exhibit of Pete Escovedo’s original paintings
🎤 Guest speakers, community tributes, and more.
Mezcal & tequila tasting + appetizers
Live music & homage in our historic theater
Exclusive art exhibit featuring Pete Escovedo’s original works
Career retrospective in the Inti-Raymi gallery
Dinner, drinks, dancing & community joy!

All proceeds will help keep MCCLA’s doors open, sustaining our mission to uplift Latino arts and culture during a time of deep fiscal challenges and rising sociopolitical threats to arts funding and Latino communities.

Be a part of this unforgettable night. Reserve your tickets now, become a sponsor, advertiser, or share with someone who loves art, music, and community!

💛 Want to support this milestone event? Sponsorship opportunities are still available! 📩 Contact info@missionculturalcenter.org to get involved.

Buy gala tickets here.

About exhibit:

About Pete Escovedo‘s art:

Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo is an artist who broke down the barriers between Smooth Jazz.

About Pete Escovedo:

Celebrating 90 years around the sun for Pete Escovedo 🥳 today who has been a major force in Latin music since the late ’60s, and his versatility has resulted in success in several areas of music, from Latin jazz and salsa to rock and Latin pop.

Peter Michael Escovedo Jr. (born July 13, 1935 in Pittsburg, California) is an American percussionist. With his two brothers, he formed the Escovedo Bros Latin Jazz Sextet, before Carlos Santana hired Pete and Coke Escovedo for his group, Santana. Pete led the 14–24 piece Latin big band Azteca. He owned a nightclub, Mr. E’s, in Berkeley, California in the late 1990s.

Growing up in Oakland, California, Escovedo was surrounded by music throughout his childhood. He and his younger brother, the late Coke Escovedo, both developed quickly as percussionists and became greatly in demand for gigs in Northern California. With their youngest brother Phil Escovedo playing bass, the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz Sextet was formed.

The group broke up in 1967 when Carlos Santana hired both Pete and Coke.

Escovedo started using his daughter Sheila E. as a drummer in the mid-’70s when she was still a teenager. But it’s a family affair that extends to include Sheila’s brothers. While Pete announced his retirement a few years ago, he occasionally still performs in the Oakland area.

Pete grew up in West Oakland, California as part of a very musical family. His father sang with some Latin big bands, his mother also sang, and his brothers — Alejandro, Javier, Phil, and Thomas “Coke” Escovedo, were all musicians. His music and visual art practice began in high school at MyClymonds

Escovedo has four children; singer-percussionists Sheila E., Peter Michael Escovedo III, Juan Escovedo, and dancer/choreographer Zina Escovedo. He is also the biological grandfather of American media personality, fashion designer, and actress, Nicole Richie.

Pete has performed in a countless number of settings including with such notables as Herbie Hancock, Woody Herman, Cal Tjader (live and on the classic Agua Dulce album), Betty Davis, Bill Summers, and Tito Puente, among many others. He began employing his daughter Sheila E. while she was still a teenager during the mid-’70s before she joined Prince’s band. They recorded Solo Two for Fantasy in 1977 and worked on Billy Cobham’s Magic together.

Peter “Pete” Escovedo, and his daughter Sheila E. were presented with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. They were on tour in Paris and Amsterdam.