Sheila Escovedo picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, while watching her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo rehearse. Sheila delivered her first solo performance to a live audience two years later and has since established herself as one of the most talented percussionist/drummers and performers in the world.

Best known to music fans as Sheila E., she became a top session and touring musician before the age of 20, performing and recording with jazz luminaries like George Duke, Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham and such soul and pop superstars as Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Marvin Gaye on his final world tour.

 In the 1980s, friend and musical mentor Prince helped to catapult her to her own pop stardom, penning hits like "The Glamorous Life" and "Love Bizarre" that Sheila E. rode to the top of the charts. She also appeared in several films including the early hip-hop film Krush Groove with LL Cool J and Run DMC.

Her pivotal work as the drummer in Prince's band for much of the '80s and as a frequent special guest at the Purple One's live concerts has only solidified her reputation as a monster percussion talent. During the Welcome 2 America Tour dates in Oakland back in 2011, she matched Prince in both costume changes and magnetic stage presence during his celebrated recent three-show stint at Oracle Arena. While she frequently sits in when her father's band makes regular appearances at Yoshi's locations on both of the Bay, fans who thrilled at those Arena performances are sure to pack the Oakland club to get a much more intimate experience when Sheila E. and her band headline the venue for one night this weekend.

Sheila E.
Wednesday-Friday, March 20-22, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $28-$35
Yoshi's in Oakland