Sheila E. is no stranger to music. The Oakland native derives from a long line of musicians, such as her father, Pete Escovedo, a well-known Mexican-American percussionist; former Santana member and Azteca founder, Coke Escovedo (uncle); the Dragons’ frontman, Mario Escovedo (uncle); and fellow Latin star, Tito Puente (godfather). Sheila became a top session and touring musician before the age of 20, performing and/or recording with George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Con Funk Shun, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle and Steve Nicks among others.

Sheila E.’s career launched in 1984 after being featured as vocals on the classic Purple Rain recording of “Erotic City.” Her debut album, The Glamorous Life, spun off the Grammy Award-nominated Top 10 hit of the same name, plus a second Top 40 single “The Belle of St. Mark.” Between her 80’s tenure as a drummer, songwriter and musical director for Prince’s backup band, Sheila E. released two more solo albums, Romance 1600 and Shelia E., plus scored another classic hit with “A Love Bizarre.” Sheila E.’s producing, arranging and performance talents have been showcased throughout the music and film industry with appearances on The Academy Awards, The Latin Grammy Awards, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, The Summer Olympics, WOW Awards, ALMA’s and The Image Awards, just to name a few. In 2014, Sheila E. released her literary biography titled, The Beat of My Own Drum, and her solo album, ICON. Following Prince’s death in 2016, she released the single “Girl Meets Boy” in memory of the late, great Prince. In 2018, Sheila E. released her album, ICONIC: Message for America, which displays her efforts to bring awareness to social issues and humanitarianism. Sheila E. continues to produce and perform music throughout the world and is in the process of completing her first-ever Salsa project.

Midnight Star first began their musical career in 1976 when trumpeter, Reggie Calloway and saxophonist, Bill Simmons set their sights on creating a new band. They later recruited Belinda Lipscomb (lead vocals); Kenneth Gant (bass, vocals); Jeff Cooper (guitar); Boaz Watson (lead vocals, keyboards); and Melvin Gentry (vocals, guitar, drums) to join in their quest for greatness. The group quickly developed a reputation as a jamming party band at dances in their hometown, covering Top 40 material of the day. They later added guitarist, Dana Mattison and trombonist, Vincent Calloway (Reggie’s younger brother). In 1978, after being signed by Solar Records, the group recorded their first album, The Beginning, which spawned their hit, “Make It Last” and garnered airplay for their soulful ballad “Searching for Love.” In 1981, the band went on to release their second album, Standing Together and in 1982, released their third album titled, Victory. In 1983, the group recorded their fourth album, No Parking on the Dance Floor, which includes hits like “Freak-A-Zoid,” “No Parking on the Dance Floor” and “Wet My Whistle,” – and launched the group to new heights and into superstar status – selling over two million units and receiving RIAA Double-Platinum Certification. The group went on to record their fifth album, Planetary Invasion, which sparked the group’s first R&B hit “Operator” and was on the charts as No.1 for five weeks. In 1986, the group struck gold again with their hit single, “Midas Touch” off their final album, Headlines, and was quickly another chart topper across the world. This would be the last album with the Calloway brothers, who left the band to pursue a career as music producers. The group went on to release three more albums and in 2002, released their first album in over 12 years titled, 15th Avenue. Midnight Star continues to perform its music to sold out halls and arenas all over the world and will soon make their way to perform on the Paul Paul Theater stage at the 2024 Big Fresno Fair!