For 80th birthday, Escovedo shares musical and artistic gifts
As a student at Oakland’s McClymonds High School in the early 1950s, percussionist Pete Escovedo discovered the two passions that continue to shape his life: music and painting. With the former, he became a world-renowned Bay Area musician who played an essential role in establishing a thriving Latin jazz scene in Northern California. His interest in painting is far less known, though his creative worlds converge this weekend as part of an ongoing celebration of his 80th birthday.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, he performs at the Oakland Jazz Festival at Cal State East Bay’s Pioneer Amphitheatre as part of an R&B-oriented program including Eric Benét, Lalah Hathaway and KEM.