Pete Escovedo E Music CD

Pete Escovedo displays his wide musical interests on this consistently colorful set, enthusiastically playing salsa, Afro-Cuban jazz, bits of pop, and some straight-ahead jazz. Escovedo's regular band (including pianist Joe Rutonudi, Justo Almario on reeds, trumpeter Ramon Flores, and two trombonists) is joined by quite a few guests along the way, including trumpeter Ray Vega, guitarist Ray Obiedo, pianist George Duke, and Sheila E. on vocals, drums, and percussion. The resulting music is not for purists of any style but for open-minded listeners who enjoy genre-crossing music that has plenty of fire and spirit. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Track Record Recording Studio, North Hollywood, California in February 2000. Includes liner notes by Mark Holston.

Personnel: Pete Escovedo (vocals, drums, congas, bongos, timbales, percussion, bells); Sheila Escovedo (vocals, drums, congas, guiro, percussion, bells); Lynn Mabry (vocals); Ray Obiedo (guitar); Justo Almario (flute, saxophone, soprano saxophone); Ray Vega , Ramon Flores (trumpet, flugelhorn); Harry Kim (trumpet); Francisco Torres, Arturo Velasco (trombone); George Duke, Renato Neto (piano, keyboards); Joe Rotunde (piano); Sheila E. (drums, percussion); Juanita Escovedo (guiro, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Jess Sutcliffe.

Recording information: Track Record Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA, Uni (02/2000).

Photographer: Carl Studna.

Arrangers: Pete Escovedo; Ray Obiedo; Ray Vega ; Wayne Wallace.

Personnel: Pete Escovedo (vocals, timbales, percussion); Ramon Flores (trumpet); Francisco Torres, Arturo Velasco (trombone); Justo Almario (flute); Joe Rotundi (piano); Renato Neto (keyboards); Peter Michael Escovedo (drums, percussion); Sheila E. (percussion); George Duke, Ray Obiedo, Ray Vega.

Award Winner

JazzTimes (12/00, p.122) - "...Highly recommended....combining crack, infectious big-band Latin grooves and lush, romantic moments to great effect..."