Grammy-winning Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes dead at 83

Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes has passed away at the age of 83. The cause of death is reported to be health complications related to long-term Covid.
According to Mendes's family, he "passed away peacefully" at his home in Los Angeles, with his wife of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and his children by his side. They also noted that Mendes had performed to enthusiastic audiences in Paris, London, and Barcelona just last November before his health deteriorated due to long-term Covid.
Mendes had a prolific career, releasing over 30 albums across six decades. He gained international fame in the 1960s by popularizing bossa nova-a Brazilian style of samba-through his band Brasil ’66. His notable hits include “Mas que Nada” and “Magalenha,” which were instrumental in shaping modern Brazilian pop.
Born in Niterói, Brazil, in 1941, Mendes began his career performing in clubs and collaborating with prominent figures like Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto. He formed his first band, the Sexteto Bossa Rio, and released his debut album, "Dance Moderno," in 1961.
He later moved to Los Angeles in 1964, where he signed with Capitol Records and formed Brasil ‘65. The band, renamed Brasil ‘66 after adding American singers Lani Hall and Bibi Vogel, achieved significant success. Their album "Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66" went platinum, featuring the hit single “Mas que Nada,” which Mendes later re-recorded with the Black Eyed Peas in 2006.
Mendes's career included performances at notable events such as the first bossa nova festival at Carnegie Hall in 1962 and collaborations with Frank Sinatra. He gained wider recognition by blending original songs with bossa nova covers of popular English-language songs, including the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” and Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love,” which he performed at the 1968 Academy Awards.
He also achieved commercial success with his 1983 hit “Never Gonna Let You Go” and won a Grammy for Best World Album for "Brasileiro" in 1992. In recent years, Mendes contributed to the music for the animated films “Rio” and “Rio 2”. His final album, "In the Key of Joy," was released in 2019.
Mendes is survived by his wife Gracinha, their two children Tiago and Gustavo; three children from his first marriage, Bernardo, Rodrigo, and Isabella; and seven grandchildren.

[@cliftonboyz1959]

Obrigado Sergio for all your wonderful contributions to Bossa Nova culture. You are now smiling along with Antonio Carlos.