Sheila Escovedo picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, while watching her father, Pete Escovedo (then bandleader of the infamous Azteca) rehearse - and delivered her first solo performance to a live audience two years later. She has since established herself as one of the most talented percussionist/drummers and vocalists in the world. Best known to music fans as Sheila E., she catapulted to pop super-stardom in the 1980s as opening act for Prince, following a teenage stint touring with jazz keyboardist George Duke. On her second Concord Records release, Heaven (CCD-4983), Sheila E. and The E-Train Band blend her diverse musical interests into a decidedly smooth jazz CD distinguished by the funky retro overtones Sheila has loved since childhood.

"I grew up listening to all types of music. We listened to a great deal of Latin jazz in our home, but I was also really inspired by Motown music," she says. "When I was nine years old, my dad wanted me to learn to play another instrument besides drums. I took violin lessons and enjoyed listening to classical music. Over the years I've been blessed to perform with many different artists, and love listening to Latin, R&B, funk, pop, gospel, even country music. My life's experience of music is referenced here, in Heaven."

Heaven follows her Concord Records debut in 2000, Writes of Passage (CCD-4934), and can rightly be called a collaborative, joyful, and spiritual E-Train excursion. Since Sheila was booked solid with other projects when it came time to start working on the music for Heaven, the CD took shape in a very family-style manner.

"In March, I had one song. By May, we were approaching the start date to record and I didn't have time to write any others," she admits. "So I called (guitarist) Ray Obiedo, because I know he writes every day. He sent me a CD of ideas, and he and I wrote a couple of songs over the phone." Additional tracks were contributed by Lynn Mabry (manager & vocalist), Raymond McKinly (engineer and bassist), Mano Hanes (keyboardist), Renato Neto (keyboardist), Peter Michael Escovedo (digital editor and Sheila's brother), and other composers. Other featured performers include saxophonists Gerald Albright, Eddie M, and Donald Hayes; trumpeter Ramon Flores; trombonist Steve Baxter; guitarists Paul Jackson Jr., Joey Woolfalk and Michael O'Neill; keyboardist Byron Williams; bassists Rhonda Smith, Reggie Hamilton and Maurice Fitzgerald; vocalists Bridgett Bryant, Stephanie Dawn, Ace Bandage, and George Duke, on Mini Moog synthesizer, who steps in for a musical reunion with Sheila on "Closer."

"The E-Train band is always changing," laughs Sheila. "I always say, it's made up of whoever holds a ticket! The making of Heaven happened so gracefully, because the love of working together made it happen. It was a beautiful environment."

"I decided to use Peter Michael's tune, 'Heaven,' as the title cut, because it perfectly set the pace of this project," says Sheila of her brother's smooth jazz composition. "I consider myself a spiritual person, and I know that God orchestrated this project."

Although Sheila E's strong faith informs the CD, the music and lyrics can be interpreted on a personal, as well as a religious level. "Each song speaks of things that are positive, which can be sung to someone, or to God," she adds.

"Lynn and I wrote 'Who's Taking Care of You?' after seeing Prince in concert and spending some time with him," she explains. "I really wanted to do a cover song, and Richard Marx's 'Waiting For You' is just an incredible tune, really appropriate for the CD." Sheila's acoustic treatment, coupled with Mabry's lead vocals, offers a refreshing interpretation of Marx's chart-topping hit. In addition to the title cut, three other tunes bear a distinct gospel influence: "I Can Go On," "Trust Me," and Nicole Nordman's "River God." "Working on this music was truly inspirational," says Sheila.

A quick glimpse at Sheila E's impressive career highlights is inspirational as well. Over the years, she's toured and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole, Stevie Nicks, Gloria Estefan, Babyface, Jennifer Lopez, and Don Was, among others. She's performed at the Oscars (with Placido Domingo), the Grammy Awards, MTV's Unplugged, at the Thelonious Monk Institute's "Celebration of American Music" (with George Benson, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, James Moody and Jimmy Heath in a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie), and on "The Prince of Egypt" soundtrack. In addition to performing, Sheila E.'s a successful producer and arranger, whose talents have been showcased on the Latin Grammy Awards, the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 1998 WOW Awards, the ALMAs, and on countless television programs - including becoming television's first female musical director for Magic Johnson's short-lived "The Magic Hour." Sheila's enthusiasm for "passing it on" to a new generation of players led her to design "The Sheila E.'s Player Series," a new line of percussion instruments for kids with TOCA Kaman Music.

Despite the demands of her commitment to making music, Sheila maintains a heavy involvement in charitable organizations, most notably as co-chair of the Li'l Angel Bunny Foundation, focusing on the needs of abused, abandoned children. "There are so many kids who need our help," she says, "and we're trying to help them get their lives together, by building their confidence through music. Its just another way for me to do God's will, another reason for living. I believe we are here to help people in this lifetime. We have to give something of ourselves to truly live."

Later this year, after spending much of the summer performing in Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band, Sheila E. and the E-Train will hit the road to perform songs from Heaven. They've already booked their tickets for the tour . . . on the E-Train, of course!