The legendary status of Sheila E. is without question. So it’s a little surprising that, up until now, she’d never graced NPR Music's famed Tiny Desk Concert series with her presence. She made up for lost time, however, by making a sizzling debut at the desk just in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month. And, to make the occasion even sweeter, she serenaded the Tiny Desk audience with selections from her first-ever salsa album Bailar.
The seasoned singer and percussionist wasted no time getting down to business by opening with an instrumental piece she christened “Rumba Percussion Jam.” The set let her show off her skills on congas and drums while working in a sly wink at her signature song “The Glamorous Life” before giving us an introduction to songs from Bailar.
The sexy sway of “Mi Amor” was first up, with the soon-to-be 67-year-old infusing smiling her way through the track as she led the band through the song’s many moods. She then allowed Jean Rodriguez to join her for their ballad “The Way That You Do.” While definitely inclusive of salsa elements, including a percussive bridge meant to dance to, the song also sported undeniable R&B roots in its phrasing and lyrics.
After basking in the glow of that one, she brought up singer-songwriter Debi Nova for their track “Possibilities.” Sheila took the vocal backseat for the majority of the song, only getting a solo moment on the bridge as she allowed Debi to shine while nimbly flipping between the song’s Spanish and English lyrics with a positively charged vocal.
The set ended with a shot of tequila for the band before Sheila led them through her latest single “Playa Tequila.” The song, a tender ballad about running away with the one you love, was a sweet way for her to close the set while showing just why she’s been thriving for nearly five decades in the business.
Watch Sheila E. and her band bring their brand of salsa to the Tiny Desk when you press play. And as an extra treat, catch Sheila jamming alongside fellow legend Chaka Khan as they perform the latter’s timeless song “I’m Every Woman” during the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special earlier this month below.
