Sheila E. Talks New PBS Special and Recalls Touring With Prince: “It Was Insane”

Sheila E. has had a successful music career for four decades.

The legendary percussionist sat down with Entertainment Tonight’s Matt Cohen to talk about her new PBS special, “Great Performances: Roots of Latin Jazz, ” and to reminisce about going out on the road with the late music icon, Prince.

Sheila E., born Sheila Cecilia Escovedo, described her time touring with Prince as “Insane.”

“I always wanted to play drums in a rock and roll band, that was one of the things I always wanted to do because I started playing percussion first. And when I told Prince, I said, ‘I wanna play drums in a band. I don’t wanna be a lead artist anymore. I just wanna go play with people.’ And he was like, ‘OK, wanna play in my band?’ I’m like, ‘Sure.’ So that’s when ‘Sign o’ the Times’ started,” she recalled. “It was Insane.” 

“I started playing drums, like, ‘Yes, I get to play rock and roll. I get to play funk.’ This was the first time playing an entire set playing drums. I loved it. I had so much fun,” the 63 year old shared. “But it was interesting because that Lovesexy tour, taking those solos, adding elements, we were adding, like, Miles Davis and little Latin stuff, just incorporating all the things that we loved,” she told ET.

Fans of Sheila E. can see her hosting the new Great Performances special “Roots of Latin Jazz” on PBS. 

The special will take viewers on a musical journey, exploring the roots of Latin Jazz from Cuba to Miami and Africa to Brazil.

The show premiered on July 16 and also featured performances from artists like Raices Jazz Orchestra and Grammy winners Richard Bona and Anaadi.

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