{"id":30473,"date":"2025-07-23T05:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T05:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/30473\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T05:17:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T05:17:10","slug":"pete-escovedo-visits-oakland-to-unveil-his-latest-art-exhibit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/30473\/","title":{"rendered":"Pete Escovedo visits Oakland to unveil his latest art exhibit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Help us tell the Oakland stories that matter to you and your fellow Oaklanders. <\/p>\n

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<\/a>. What some may not know is that Escovedo is also a gifted painter who got his artistic endeavors as a student at McClymond\u2019s High School.<\/p>\n

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The musician and artist visited Oakland last week for the artist\u2019s 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.)<\/a>, 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\u2019s private collection.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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\u2019t let all the kids use them. I\u2019d be back there painting and doing my thing. She would tell me to paint whatever I feel,\u201d Escovedo told The Oaklandside at the reception. \u201cThat\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several family members, including his son Juan Escovedo, and some longtime friends, known as \u201cthe rat pack,\u201d were in attendance. Other figures included KTVU\u2019s broadcaster Dave Clark.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u2019s.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where it all started to take place. I was married here. All my kids were born here,\u201d Escovedo said. \u201cSo Oakland is very significant for me. I wanted people who haven\u2019t seen my art, who are from Oakland, to come and look at my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PetePete Escovedo\u2019s 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\u2019s 90th birthday. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PeteJuan Escovedo, left, and his father Pete Escovedo pose for a portrait with Pete Escovedo\u2019s art work during the opening of his art show. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PetePete 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<\/p>\n

\"PeteArtist and exhibit curator Eric Murphy speaks during the opening of Pete Escovedo\u2019s art show. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PeteAttendees also got to celebrate Escovedo\u2019s 90th birthday during the artist reception. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PeteMuralist Penny Harncharnvej poses with a portrait she painted of Pete Escovedo. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PetePete Escovedo poses with some of the artwork on display for his exhibit titled The California Tour. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

\"PetePete Escovedo poses for a portrait with friends he lovingly refers to as his \u201crat pack.\u201d Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside<\/p>\n

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