Sheila E. has publicly criticized the organizers of the Carson Jazz Festival after a woman died in the crowd and her body was reportedly not removed until after the musician's performance. The legendary percussionist said she was heartbroken to learn that Shari Sanders passed away at the Southern California event, which took place over the weekend amid sweltering temperatures that soared above 100 degrees.
In a social media message to her followers, Sheila E. described the situation as «very important» and said a concertgoer had died either during or before her set. «This has never happened to me in my entire career,» she said. «It was devastating. Her name was Shari Sanders.» The musician explained that when she arrived at the grounds at 7:30 a.m., attendees were already lined up in their chairs waiting to get in. Organizers opened the gates 30 minutes early, she noted, as the heat intensified.
Sheila E. recalled seeing emergency crews moving through the crowds while she and her band waited for their sound check, which never happened. «We were thinking, it's so hot outside... maybe people were dehydrated, and we could see that through the window of the dressing room,» she said. «We never got our sound check, so things were running late. Production wasn't there, stuff was just happening.» She added that they were waiting for the next band when «all of a sudden everything just stopped.»
According to what she was told, Sanders had been saving seats for her family when someone noticed her slumped over. A bystander asked if she was okay, but she was unresponsive. Paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later, Sheila E. said. «We were all heartbroken because that's never happened, to have someone pass away before... and it was outside,» she said. «It was at the park.» The drummer also heard there was minimal access to hydration stations throughout the venue. «Carson City, you need to do better... They've been bragging about that they've been doing it for 40 years, but this is not good to have people sitting outside for three hours to be able to come to a festival,» she said.
Before taking the stage, Sheila E. and her band prayed for the woman. She stopped after the first song to dedicate the show to Sanders and her family, holding a moment of silence. «Little did we know, that after we were done performing, we went back to the dressing room, we were then told at 5 p.m. – we were done around 4:30 – they had just picked up her body,» she said. «That is uncalled... that is not even uncalled for. It's devastating.»
Sheila E. said she would never have performed if she had known Sanders' body was still there with her family surrounding her. «It made me sick to my stomach when I heard later on that... that her body did not get taken until after we were off stage. I am so sorry to the family. I am sorry that you lost a family member,» she said. «I should not have played. Someone should have told me that she was still there.» She also said production should have stopped the festival entirely.
Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes issued a statement on social media, writing that «hearts are heavy following the tragic loss of a life at our community event.» She extended her deepest condolences to the family and loved ones, adding that she had personally reached out and spoken to the family. «I ask our entire community to join me in keeping them in your prayers – surrounding them with strength, comfort, and peace during this unimaginable moment,» the mayor wrote. The city of Carson and the mayor's office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols at large outdoor festivals, particularly during extreme heat events. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, concerns about hydration access and emergency response times have come to the forefront. Sheila E.'s account highlights the challenges faced by performers and attendees alike when weather conditions become dangerous. The Carson Jazz Festival, a long-running community event, now faces scrutiny over its handling of the situation and its preparedness for heat-related emergencies.