Representative Albums: "Coke," "Disco Fantasy," "Comin' at Ya"
Biography
Born April 30, 1941, in Los Angeles to a musical family that includes Pete Escovedo, Alejandro Escovedo, and Sheila Escovedo, percussionist Coke Escovedo first rose to prominence in 1969 as a member of Santana. His playing can be heard on the third Santana album, which included the hit "Everybody's Everything" and "No One to Depend On," which he co-wrote. Escovedo and his brother, Pete Escovedo, left Santana to form their own Latin rock hybrid, Azteca, who recorded two albums, a self-titled debut in 1972 and Pyramid of the Moon in 1973, both for Columbia. Always in demand, Coke toured with Stevie Wonder before releasing his first solo effort in 1975, simply titled Coke. Featuring a sophisticated fusion of jazz, soul, and Latin elements, the album did well enough to lead to a second date as leader in 1976, the more pop-oriented Comin' at Ya. A final release as a leader in 1977, Disco Fantasy, proved critically and commercially disappointing and signaled the last time Escovedo would helm his own project. This, nevertheless, did not signal the end of his career; as busy as ever, Coke toured with Santana again and joined Herbie Hancock for his 1979 release Feets Don't Fail Me Now and became a member of his touring band. The '80s saw him record and tour with his niece and Prince collaborator Sheila Escovedo. Coke Escovedo died at the age of 45 on July 13, 1986. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide
Coke Escovedo (born Joseph Thomas Escovedo) was an Americanpercussionist born April 30, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. Escovedo died on July 13, 1986. Escovedo was a member of the rock band Santana, and later formed the musical group Azteca. Escovedo toured with Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. Escovedo's niece is Prince collaborator Sheila Escovedo (aka Sheila E.). His songs "Runaway" and "I Wouldn't Change a Thing" were featured on the breakbeat compilation Ultimate Breaks and Beats. Coke's brothers include Pete Escovedo, who was also percussionist with Santana (and father of Sheila E), and Alejandro Escovedo, who is currently a prominent recording artist working in the Americana style of music and formerly led the 1990s band the True Believers, a band which included brother Javier Escovedo (of pioneering punk rock band, The Zeros). Youngest brother Mario Escovedo fronted critically-acclaimed San Diego rockers The Dragons.
