The Kansas City conference’s final social event on Tuesday evening at KC Live! will be headlined by Sheila E. -  world-class drummer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, entertainer, author, humanitarian, mentor, and actress. Sheila E. is a dynamic public figure who has been driven by a steadfast inner rhythm since the day she was born.

Growing up in the Bay Area, Sheila was surrounded by all types of music since birth—introduced to Latin jazz, Motown, R&B, pop, and funk by her musical family members and family friends. Her early influences include percussionist dad Pete Escovedo; musical uncles Santana member/Azteca founder Coke Escovedo, recording artist Alejandro Escovedo, The Dragons frontman Mario Escovedo, and The Zeroes member Javier Escovedo; as well as godfather, Latin star Tito Puente.

Early in her career, Sheila met Prince backstage at a show—who helped light a fire that led to the launch of her solo career. At the age of 25, Sheila began writing songs and experimenting with different types of music. Playing the drums and keyboard and singing her own vocals, Sheila taught herself how to record a demo using equipment she’d purchased herself.

After lending her vocals on Prince’s hit “Erotic City”, the two worked together to produce her first album, The Glamorous Life. Unlike any other ’80s artist, Sheila combined her Latin, jazz, R&B, pop, and rock influences to create her own unique style for the album. The album’s title track made the U.S. top 10, with the entire album reaching number 28 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

It was during this time that Sheila Escovedo officially became the iconic Sheila E. we know today. What was once a childhood nickname—due to her peers having trouble pronouncing or spelling her last name—became her stage name, revealed on her debut album.

She boasts seven solo albums under her belt, a résumé of collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, a recently-published memoir, and more. Fueled by a deep-rooted passion for music and rhythm, Sheila pours herself into everything she does. On September 27, you can experience this passion up close and personal by attending the Tuesday night event, KCLive!