Sergio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend known for popularizing Bossa Nova worldwide, has died at the age of 83 in Los Angeles. Mendes, who had been battling the effects of long COVID, leaves behind a rich legacy in the world of music. His family confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement.
Early Life and Career
Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, in 1941, Sergio Mendes began his musical journey studying classical music at a conservatory. He soon transitioned to jazz and Bossa Nova, performing in Rio’s vibrant nightclub scene alongside legends like Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto. In 1962, Mendes traveled to New York for a Bossa Nova festival at Carnegie Hall, marking his first significant international exposure.
Rise to Fame
In 1964, Mendes moved to the United States, forming the group Brazil ’64, which later evolved into Brazil ’66. The group’s debut album, produced by Herb Alpert, featured the hit “Mas Que Nada,” a mid-tempo Samba number that became a worldwide sensation. Mendes’ version of the song helped perpetuate the Brazilian music boom of the 1960s.
