Bronx, NY—-Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in celebration of the 45th Anniversary is proud to present SHEILA E. IN CONCERT WITH SPECIAL GUESTS KLYMAXX FEATURING BERNADETTE COOPER, on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00 pm. World class percussionist and drummer Sheila E. will be joined by special guests KLYMAXX featuring Bernadette Cooper, producer and original member, for a night jam-packed with Latin and R&B music.
SHEILA E. (Escovedo), percussionist, drummer, vocalist, author, actress, and the biggest and brightest of Prince’s protégées. Born into a musical family in the Bay Area of California, she was influenced by her percussionist father Pete Escovedo, uncles Coke, Alejandro, Mario and Javier Escovedo, and her godfather Tito Puente. In 1977, she joined the George Duke Band as a percussionist and singer, and she also performed with Lionel Ritchie, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross.
In 1983 she joined Marvin Gaye’s Midnight Love Tour as one of his percussionists. The following year, Sheila recorded with Prince who also wrote and co-produced her critically acclaimed 1984 breakthrough album, The Glamorous Life, which earned her two Grammy Award nominations.
Sheila formally joined Prince’s band as drummer and musical director in 1987, and regularly toured with him. She also has performed with Phil Collins, Ringo Starr & His All Star Band, Beyoncé, Cyndi Lauper, Marc Anthony, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer among others. Her latest album Sheila E. & Friends: Bailar Instrumentals, where she played percussion and provided vocals on select songs, was released on May 23rd, 2025 and on August 18th, 2025, she released her first-ever Spanish vocal single “Vuelvo.”
KLYMAXX blends real life experiences with the melodic tones of Funk, Rock, and Soul. Their music remains a staple for all fans alike, and has intrigued the ears of the latest generation, including popular DJs who have remixed their hit with Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thot Sh*t.” The band’s music is a staple on the radio and in dance clubs around the world, mixing various genre styles, with their beautiful ballad, “I Miss You,” their Pop anthem “The Men All Pause,” R&B groove of “Good Love,” and their Neo-Soul vibe with “Private Party.”
BERNADETTE COOPER is synonymous with the Pop/R&B all-girl band KLYMAXX. In 1990, Bernadette released her solo album titled Drama According To Bernadette Cooper. She later founded the girl group Madame X. She has written music for other artists, including Bette Midler, Teena Marie, Salt & Pepa, and was also featured in To Wong Foo’s “Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.” Bernadette is the sole owner of the name KLYMAXX in the UK and after the group departed, she formed her touring concept KLYMAXX, Featuring Bernadette Cooper, which is the closest to the original vision of her band.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is supported, in part, by public funds through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and the Bronx Delegation. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. We are thrilled to share that Goya Foods has agreed to renew their sponsorship for this season which will help Lehman Center expand our reach to the community.
In addition we have secured funding from the Howard Gillman foundation to help grow our programming. The 2025 season is also made possible through sponsorships by Con Edison, Havana Café, Friends of Lehman Center, and our cherished audience members.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Lehman College/CUNY at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468. Tickets for SHEILA E. IN CONCERT WITH SPECIAL GUESTS KLYMAXX FEATURING BERNADETTE COOPER on September 27, 2025 at 8pm (VIP $100, $85, $65, $40, $35) can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 (Monday through Friday, 10am–5pm, and beginning at 4pm on the day of the concert), or through online access at https://www.lehmancenter.org/events/sheila-e. Lehman Center is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.
