Sérgio Mendes, the globally renowned Brazilian pianist and composer who popularized bossa nova with his hit Mas Que Nada, passed away on September 6, 2024, in Los Angeles at the age of 83.
Born on February 11, 1941, in Niterói, Brazil, Sérgio Santos Mendes grew up in a family passionate about music. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional talent for piano and composition. After studying classical music, he turned to jazz and bossa nova, a musical genre that emerged in Brazil in the 1950s. In the early 1960s, Mendes formed the group Brasil ’66, which would become one of the most influential ensembles in Brazilian music. Their rendition of Mas Que Nada, a song by Jorge Ben Jor, became a global hit and helped introduce bossa nova to an international audience.
Throughout his career, Sérgio Mendes recorded over 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum in the United States. His unique musical style, blending bossa nova, samba jazz, MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), Latin jazz, jazz-funk and pop, captivated millions of fans around the world. Mendes collaborated with many renowned artists, such as the Black Eyed Peas, with whom he re-recorded Mas Que Nada in 2006, giving a second life to this timeless classic. He was also nominated for an Oscar in 2012 for Best Original Song as a co-writer of Real in Rio from the animated film Rio.
During his illustrious career, Sérgio Mendes won three Grammy Awards and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, recognizing his exceptional contribution to the music industry.
Despite the challenges posed by long COVID, which caused him respiratory issues since late 2023, Sérgio Mendes continued to perform on stage until his final days. His last concerts, performed to sold-out crowds in Europe in November 2023, were a testament to the unconditional love his audience had for him. Sérgio Mendes is survived by his wife, Gracinha Leporace, who had performed alongside him since the early 1970s, as well as his five children and seven grandchildren.
Through his talent, passion and charisma, Sérgio Mendes introduced the world to the richness and beauty of Brazilian music, particularly bossa nova and samba.
