Sheila E. Talks Music and Prince Before Long Beach Pride 2018

Six weeks before she took our stage, Sheila E. sat down (virtually) with the Long Beach Post. In a short Q&A by Matt Cohn published April 4, 2018, in the Post’s arts section, the Hi-lo, the legendary percussionist talked about music, her heroes and the show she was bringing to Long Beach Pride.

She was set to headline the festival on Sunday night, May 20, 2018. The Post introduced her as a musician best known for her work with Prince, the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo and the goddaughter of Tito Puente. At the time she was touring behind her latest album.

It gives me life, love and an extremely strong connection to the people I call my family.

Sheila E., to the Long Beach Post

Drummers, Prince and the Next Generation

Asked who shaped her playing, Sheila E. named Buddy Rich, whom she first heard at nine years old, and Billy Cobham, who came into her life as a young teenager. She described sitting beside Cobham as a kind of private education. She also called her creative bond with Prince a match made in heaven, a partnership where each kept teaching the other.

One answer stood out to us. She said she is humbled when parents share videos of very young drummers who look up to her. That idea of passing something forward to the next generation is a big part of what Pride is about, too.

The final question was ours to love: what should Long Beach expect from her Sunday set?

Expect a lot of love, life, passion, dancing and audience participation. We are truly excited to be part of this event.

Sheila E., to the Long Beach Post

Having an artist of her stature close out the 35th Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival was a gift to everyone on Marina Green that night. We thank the Long Beach Post for giving our community a closer look at the woman behind the timbales before she arrived.

Read the full story at Long Beach Post.