RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Sergio Mendes, the renowned Brazilian musician known for his famous hit “Mas Que Nada,” which skyrocketed him to international fame in 1966, has passed away at the age of 83. He had been suffering for months from the effects of long COVID.
His family confirmed his death on Thursday in a heartfelt statement, noting that he was surrounded by his beloved wife, Gracinha Leporace Mendes—who had been his musical partner for 54 years—and their loving children.
According to the statement released on Friday, Mendes last performed in November 2023, captivating enthusiastic audiences in Paris, London, and Barcelona with sold-out shows.
Mendes was born in Niterói, a city neighboring Rio de Janeiro, where he began his musical journey studying classical music at a conservatory. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, he ventured into the vibrant jazz scene and helped popularize Bossa Nova alongside legends like Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
In 1962, Mendes traveled to New York to participate in a Bossa Nova festival at Carnegie Hall. There, the famous jazz musician Cannonball Adderley invited him to collaborate on the album “Cannonball Adderley and The Bossa Rio Sextet.” This opportunity led Mendes to sign with Atlantic Records, resulting in his first American album, “The Swinger from Rio.”
A couple of years later, Mendes relocated to California and formed a group called Brazil ’64, which later became Brazil ’66 when he added two female vocalists. Their debut album, produced by Herb Alpert, included the iconic “Mas Que Nada.” Originally written and released in 1963 by composer Jorge Ben Jor, Mendes gave this mid-tempo samba song a fresh twist, making it jazzier and more vibrant.
As Mendes shared in a 2019 interview with The Guardian, “I put a band together called Brasil ’66.” He noted that adding the two female singers, Lani Hall and Bibi Vogel, transformed their sound, creating something truly unique. The recording of “Mas Que Nada” featured live performances from the band in Los Angeles, capturing a special energy.
Mendes’ version of the song became a global sensation, contributing to the Brazilian music explosion of the 1960s. In 2006, a contemporary rendition by the Black Eyed Peas topped the U.S. charts. This was part of Mendes’ album “Timeless,” which also featured collaborations with artists like will.i.am, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, and John Legend.
Trumpet player Herb Alpert expressed his grief over Mendes’ passing on Facebook, reminiscing about their friendship and highlighting Mendes’s immense talent in bringing Brazilian music to audiences worldwide with grace and style.
Mendes had many other hits, blending styles by covering songs such as the Beatles’ “The Fool on the Hill” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” He also created the soundtrack for the film “Pelé,” working with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, and even produced an album featuring the legendary Brazilian soccer player.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mendes won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1992 for “Brasileiro,” along with two Latin Grammy Awards. In 2012, he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “Real in Rio,” a song featured in the animated movie “Rio.”
Marcos Valle, a pianist, singer, and songwriter, remarked on GloboNews that Mendes’ music embodied the essence of Brazilian soul and played a significant role in paving the way for many Brazilian artists of his generation to reach international audiences.
His family has announced that they will share details regarding memorial and funeral services at a later date.
