The most thrilling musical evening
I KNEW I had to go when I heard of this event -- Latin jazz drummer Pete Escovedo's 75th Birthday Celebration! At Anthology, San Diego's claim to the best sound and back-of-stage screen system anywhere!
Well, the gig way more than lived up to the hype. I mean, there was Pops -- still a commanding presence with his luxuriant white hair, classic suit and forceful attack on the timbales. For this event he was joined by talented sons Juan and Peter Michael plus amazing daughter Sheila E. And all playing DRUMS!
For a total drum freak like me (and I suspect a lot of the rest of the appreciative uadience) the mix was magnificent with all that wondrous hot percussion -- congas, bongos, timbales, trap drums, shekere, cowbell, claves and Zildgian cymbals everywhere -- visually and audibly upfront. With superb backing and soloes by keyboard, bass, 2 trombones, trumpet, and sax/flute.
For over an hour this aggregation blistered their way through a litany of Latin masterpieces, the E family trading off on instruments and supplying excitement galore. Perhaps the most impressive was Pops and Sheila in total synchrony with intense matching stick chops on timbale and snares. Whooee, like nothing I've ever seen or heard!
As if all this weren't enough, they dialed down to a few softer, slinkier numbers. And then the rest of the family came onstage in what was really a cutting contest -- won by Juanita, Pete's wife of 53 years, who sang a sweet "My Funny Valentine" to him. Sheila looked in awe and Peter Michael later explained, "She's never sung this on stage before."
As I said in my brief facebook post, AH-MAZING!
And here is the maestro to enjoy on Burrito Bandido ...
Positively,
Carolan
Well, the gig way more than lived up to the hype. I mean, there was Pops -- still a commanding presence with his luxuriant white hair, classic suit and forceful attack on the timbales. For this event he was joined by talented sons Juan and Peter Michael plus amazing daughter Sheila E. And all playing DRUMS!
For a total drum freak like me (and I suspect a lot of the rest of the appreciative uadience) the mix was magnificent with all that wondrous hot percussion -- congas, bongos, timbales, trap drums, shekere, cowbell, claves and Zildgian cymbals everywhere -- visually and audibly upfront. With superb backing and soloes by keyboard, bass, 2 trombones, trumpet, and sax/flute.
For over an hour this aggregation blistered their way through a litany of Latin masterpieces, the E family trading off on instruments and supplying excitement galore. Perhaps the most impressive was Pops and Sheila in total synchrony with intense matching stick chops on timbale and snares. Whooee, like nothing I've ever seen or heard!
As if all this weren't enough, they dialed down to a few softer, slinkier numbers. And then the rest of the family came onstage in what was really a cutting contest -- won by Juanita, Pete's wife of 53 years, who sang a sweet "My Funny Valentine" to him. Sheila looked in awe and Peter Michael later explained, "She's never sung this on stage before."
As I said in my brief facebook post, AH-MAZING!
And here is the maestro to enjoy on Burrito Bandido ...
Played: 2 | Download | Duration: 00:05:02
Positively,
Carolan
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