[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E155-E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. PETE ESCOVEDO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2023

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the musical 
legacy of Pete ``Pops'' Escovedo and his tremendous contributions as a 
truly remarkable artist here in the Bay Area. I want to congratulate 
Mr. Escovedo on his retirement and on fifty incredible years in the 
music industry. His passion for Afro-Caribbean music has left a lasting 
impact on the music culture in our community.
  Born in Pittsburg, California, Mr. Escovedo found his passion for 
music from a young age when he learned to play bongos in Junior High 
School. His dedication to honing his musical abilities was evident from 
the beginning, as Mr. Escovedo built his own bongo set out of coffee 
cans and tape. He went on to pursue a career in music as a 
percussionist, forming a jazz band, Escovedo Brothers Latin Sextet, 
with his brothers Coke and Phil Escovedo. The band's success led them 
to Carlos Santana, and his Latin band Santana, with whom Mr. Escovedo 
performed for three years. Santana went on to become one of the best-
selling groups of all time. In 1972, Mr. Escovedo debuted his 
independent band Azteca, along with his brother, defying traditional 
norms for Latin music. Azteca was the first band to incorporate an 
orchestra, horns, woodwind instruments, keyboards, vocalists, and 
percussionists all under the genre of Latin rock.

[[Page E156]]

  Mr. Escovedo's professional legacy includes being awarded the 
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Grammys, performing with 
industry notables Herbie Hancock, Bill Summers, Tito Puente, and 
penning his own book. ``My Life in the Key of E.''
  Mr. Escovedo's list of accomplishments extends beyond his 
professional pursuits, as a devoted husband to his wife, Juanita 
Gardere, and father to 4 kids, Sheila, Juan, Peter, and Zina. His 
children inherited Mr. Escovedo's love and talent for music, and 
together, they are lovingly accepted as the Bay Area's First Family of 
Latin and Contemporary Jazz. Furthermore, Mr. Escovedos legacy is 
carried on by his daughter Sheila, who has become an industry titan 
herself, earning the moniker the ``Queen of Percussion.''
  It has been a fantastic journey watching Mr. Escovedo play and create 
beautiful music over the years. His passion and skill have inspired 
generations of musicians and will continue to do so. We thank you for 
your dedication and commitment to the music industry.
  As he embarks on his Retirement Tour, starting in Oakland, I want to 
wish Mr. Escovedo the best of luck. On behalf of the 12th Congressional 
District of California, I am proud to honor Peter Escovedo for his 
tremendous achievements. Congratulations again.

                          ____________________