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Pete Escovedo is a world-renowned, Grammy-award-winning jazz percussionist and the father of Sheila E., not only an Oakland native but also a percussionist, and producer with equal accolades as her father. What some may not know is that Escovedo is also a gifted painter who got his artistic endeavors as a student at McClymond’s High School.
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The musician and artist visited Oakland last week for the artist’s reception of his exhibit, The California Art Tour (Oakland chapter). The exhibit, on display through the end of the month at The Grand Gallery (560 2nd St.), includes abstract paintings of faces, mostly women, in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. One of the most striking pieces on display in Oakland is a self-portrait from 2003 on loan from Escovedo’s private collection.
“I was very fortunate that I had a nice art teacher. She would let me go in the back room and use the oils, but she didn’t let all the kids use them. I’d be back there painting and doing my thing. She would tell me to paint whatever I feel,” Escovedo told The Oaklandside at the reception. “That’s the majority of my paintings. I never, in a sense, try to vision something at first and then put it on canvas. Sometimes I just look at the canvas, and then I start painting, and then it starts to happen, the figures come alive, the faces come alive, and I just keep working.”
Several family members, including his son Juan Escovedo, and some longtime friends, known as “the rat pack,” were in attendance. Other figures included KTVU’s broadcaster Dave Clark.
The artist reception also served as a birthday celebration for Escovedo, who recently turned 90. Escovedo will be back in town this weekend for a short residency at Yoshi’s.
“This is where it all started to take place. I was married here. All my kids were born here,” Escovedo said. “So Oakland is very significant for me. I wanted people who haven’t seen my art, who are from Oakland, to come and look at my work.”
Pete Escovedo’s art work on display at the Grand Gallery in Oakland features bold, bright colors and several images of women. The event also doubled as a celebration for Pete Escovedo’s 90th birthday. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Juan Escovedo, left, and his father Pete Escovedo pose for a portrait with Pete Escovedo’s art work during the opening of his art show. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Pete Escovedo signs a framed tie and set of drumsticks Oliver Yun, 51, bought during the opening of his art show at The Grand Gallery in Oakland. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Artist and exhibit curator Eric Murphy speaks during the opening of Pete Escovedo’s art show. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Attendees also got to celebrate Escovedo’s 90th birthday during the artist reception. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Muralist Penny Harncharnvej poses with a portrait she painted of Pete Escovedo. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Pete Escovedo poses with some of the artwork on display for his exhibit titled The California Tour. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Pete Escovedo poses for a portrait with friends he lovingly refers to as his “rat pack.” Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
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