Legendary percussionist and "Queen of Percussion" Sheila E., is heading to Tucson for a one-night performance at Fox Tucson Theatre, as part of the 11th annual HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival on January 25, bringing with her a spectacular show packed with Latin-pop, soul, funk, and R&B. Tucson.com reports that amid the backdrop of the LA fires, which prompted a precautionary evacuation from her home earlier this month, music serves as a unifying and healing force for the artist.
The fires, igniting on January 7, have left communities in devastation as Escovedo, who saw the glow of the embers from her backyard, vividly recollects the smoke's pervasiveness upon her brief return to assess the damage, "It's clear, but the smoke smell is very bad so I probably wouldn't be able to stay there", she told Tucson.com, emphasizing the extensive recovery process ahead.
Meanwhile, prior to her Tucson appearance, Phoenix residents had the chance to experience her mastery in percussion over two nights at the Musical Instrument Museum with Sheila E. and the E. Train, delivering two shows each evening on January 12 and 13, a powerful reminder of the multi-decade-spanning career that has earned her a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Phoenix New Times highlights the recent honors alongside her vibrant past performances, like the 2024 Tiny Desk Concert.
Amid the chaos and concern, Sheila E. remains focused on her musical passions, setting the rhythms of hope and resilience against personal and communal challenges she is up for two Grammy Awards, including Best Tropical Latin Album for "Bailar" and Best Global Music Performance for the track "Bemba Colorá," in which she honors Celia Cruz and the legendary Fania All-Stars, these nods celebrate her first salsa album in a career entrenched in diverse musical genres, according to Tucson.com.
The upcoming performance in Tucson is expected to be not just an entertainment act but also a musical journey that uplifts and connects, "be prepared to be taken on a musical journey, literally." Sheila E. told the Phoenix New Times.
