Escovedo plays great jazz, helps young musicians in Pittsburg By PHS Student Sophia Liem, California Network Intern for pittsburgca.net

Can you feel the music? That’s right! Legendary jazz musician and Pittsburg native Pete Escovedo came home Saturday, Oct. 6, bringing along his saucy Latin Jazz Orchestra. The show was the first time Escovedo performed in his home town, and for a special reason: to launch the Pete Escovedo Music Scholarship for the Pittsburg Unified School District. Row after row in the theater filled up with eager Escovedo fans. But first they enjoyed some time with Pittsburg comedian Mo’ Jones, who drew plenty of laughter with every word he spoke. Finally, Escovedo and his band took the stage, filling the building with soothing sounds of jazz. In the audience, heads bobbed to the music, and children, parents and even grandparents showed off some sassy moves in front of the audience as they danced on the orchestra pit, their hips swaying to the exhilarating beat. The night also featured a raffle and some proclamations during intermission. Concert tickets, coupons and a pool table were given away, and city and state officials were on hand to proclaim Pete Escovedo Day in Pittsburg. The beloved city son received a joint resolution from state Sen. Tom Torlakson and Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, and a letter from Congressman George Miller. The congressman also presented $1,000 to the scholarship fund from his George Miller Youth Fund, which benefits youths in the 7th Congressional District. The Pittsburg Creative Arts Building Corp. donated another $2,000 to the fund. And the proceeds from the sale of drum heads autographed by Escovedo were donated. Total proceeds for the scholarship for the evening were $3,180. The evening became especially memorable for some youth musicians, who eagerly joined Escovedo and his Latin Jazz Orchestra onstage for the show’s grand finale. The night ended, but the music of Pete Escovedo and his 10-piece orchestra had surely not. This was an unforgettable, fun-filled night, full of excitement, energy and charisma, leaving only anticipation for the next Creative Arts Building concert.

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