Sheila E
Sheila E is a world-class drummer and percussionist whose credits read like chapters in a music history book: Ringo Starr. Marvin Gaye, Prince, Beyoncé, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan and George Duke. Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter behind the seminal hits “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre.” A fearless multi-instrumentalist equally proficient on guitar and bass. Actress. Mentor. Philanthropist.
During the writing of her New Book, The Beat of My Own Drum, came inspiration for the latest album, Icon, now out on ITunes, worldwide.
“The idea to record another solo album was actually spawned while I was writing the autobiography,” recalls Sheila E. “I realized that some of the things I was writing about should be a song. That’s when I also began looking back at songs I’d written several years earlier and forgotten about, but whose themes needed to be talked about in the book. Both fed each other.”
As the musical half of Sheila E.’s storied life and career, Icon pulsates from start to finish with colorful fusions of the Latin, jazz, R&B, pop, funk and rock influences that shaped her unique style.
Away from the spotlight, music doubles as a source of healing and giving back for Sheila E. Her Elevate Hope
Foundation raises funds to improve student academic achievement and attendance through music and arts programming. But this isn’t Sheila E.’s first time giving back. Between gigs, she has also criss-crossed the country, speaking at schools and colleges, shelters, church organizations, music classes and clinics about music’s effect on her life and career. “Sharing music in any way I can is my ministry,” she says.
And that was part of the inspiration for penning the autobiography “The Beat of My Own Drum.” Working in a male dominated industry exacted a personal price—several years ago Sheila E. publicly acknowledged she was an abuse survivor.
www.sheilae.com
