Legendary Brazilian Musician Sérgio Mendes Dies at 83
Sérgio Mendes, the iconic Brazilian musician who brought bossa nova to global audiences in the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 83.
Mendes, widely known for his work with the band Brasil ’66, had been battling health complications related to long-term Covid-19, according to his family.
Mendes died peacefully in his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and their children.
In a statement, Mendes’s family said: “His wife and musical partner Gracinha, along with his loving children, were by his side.
Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold-out and wildly enthusiastic audiences in Paris, London, and Barcelona. For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long-term Covid.”
A Trailblazer for Bossa Nova
Born on February 11, 1941, in Niterói, Brazil, Mendes was initially trained in classical piano. His father, a doctor, encouraged him to pursue a medical career.
However, his father eventually supported his burgeoning interest in jazz, which would go on to shape his legendary musical career.
Mendes recalled in a 2005 interview, “When he saw me play and noticed I was doing well with bands, he let me follow my passion.”
By the late 1950s, Mendes was already playing in Rio’s nightclubs, just as bossa nova was making waves internationally.
Mentored by Antônio Carlos Jobim, a pioneer of the bossa nova genre, Mendes formed Sexteto Bossa Rio, releasing his debut album Dance Moderno in 1961.
Mendes quickly became a sought-after collaborator for American jazz musicians like Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann, further expanding his musical influence.
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International Stardom with Brasil ’66
In 1964, Mendes relocated to Los Angeles, where he signed with Capitol Records and formed Brasil ’65.
Despite early albums not achieving commercial success, the group soon found its stride after renaming itself Brasil ’66 and incorporating English vocals from American singers Lani Hall and Bibi Vogel.
The group’s breakthrough album, produced by Herb Alpert, went platinum, driven by the success of the single “Mas que Nada”, which Mendes re-recorded in 2006 with the Black Eyed Peas.
In 1968, Mendes reached a broader audience with a performance of “The Look of Love” at the Academy Awards, which helped propel the band’s version of the song into the US Top 10.
This marked Mendes’s rise as an international star and ambassador for bossa nova, performing for U.S. presidents and at the Japan World Expo in 1970.
In a 2005 interview, Mendes spoke about the universal appeal of bossa nova, saying, “You can relate to it in an organic way. It makes you dream and feel good.
It’s very rhythmical, so you can dance to it, and it has haunting melodies that stick with you.”
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Continued Success and Collaborations
Mendes continued his musical career through the 1970s and 1980s, scoring another hit in 1983 with his rendition of the Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil song, “Never Gonna Let You Go”, which reached No. 4 on the charts.
In 2006, Mendes experienced a career resurgence with the release of the album Timeless, produced by the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am.
The album, featuring guest appearances from artists like Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, and Erykah Badu, highlighted the timeless nature of Mendes’s music and its influence on a new generation of artists.
Mendes’s later work included producing music for the animated films Rio and Rio 2, and he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 2012 for the track “Real in Rio”.
His 1992 album Brasileiro earned Mendes a Grammy Award for Best World Album, further cementing his legacy as a global music icon.
Final Performances and Legacy of Sérgio Mendes
Mendes continued to perform until his health declined in recent years. His final album, In the Key of Joy, was released in 2019, a testament to his enduring passion for music and creativity.
His family and fans remember him not only for his contributions to bossa nova but also for the joy and love his music brought to millions worldwide.
Sérgio Mendes is survived by his wife, Gracinha Leporace, and their five children.
His passing marks the end of an era in Brazilian music, but his legacy and contributions to the world of bossa nova and jazz will continue to influence and inspire musicians for generations to come.