A local treasure who was born in Pittsburgh and raised in Oakland, musician Pete Escovedo was a natural musician who gravitated from saxophone to vibes to Latin percussion while still in his teens. He and his brother, the late Coke Escovedo, founded their own Latin jazz ensemble in the '60s after Pete had worked with local piano legend Ed Kelly. Eventually the brothers were recruited by Carlos Santana for his band and spent a number of years with him before moving on to found their own group, Azteca.

Over his career, Escovedo has performed with such jazz luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, Tito Puente and Billy Cobham while still making time to work with pop artists like Anita Baker, Barry White, Stephen Stills, Bobby McFerrin and Chris Isaak. A true legend in Latin music, Escovedo leads what is widely considered one of the finest ensembles in Latin jazz, a mix of musicians from both Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Earlier this year, Escovedo's E Family Band released it's first album mixing Latin rhythms with elements of jazz, R&B and funk.  Featuring talented offspring Sheila E. (longtime collaborator/drummer for Prince who scored hits of her own with "The Glamorous Life" and "Love Bizarre"), Juan Escovedo and Peter Michael Escovedo, the album Now & Forever helped celebrate band patriarch Pete's 76th birthday with such special guest artists Earth Wind & Fire, Gloria Estefan, Joss Stone, Rafael Saadiq and George Duke. Having recently released a live recording made at Stern Grove earlier this year for download (a physical CD release is planned for 2013), Pete Escovedo and his Latin Jazz Orchestra with sons Juan and Peter Michael will give fans a dance extravaganza during these holiday weekend shows at Yoshi's in Oakland leading up to New Year's Eve. The East Bay Jazz institution will be offering special NYE dinner-and-show packages that will include a champagne toast for the ll p.m. performance.

Pete Escovedo and Sons Latin Jazz Orchestra
Friday-Monday, Dec. 28-31, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. (7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mon) $25-$170
Yoshi's Oakland