Sergio Mendes, the iconic Brazilian musician known for his 1966 hit “Mas Que Nada,” has passed away at the age of 83 after a prolonged battle with the effects of long COVID. His family confirmed his death on Thursday.
According to a statement released by his family on Friday, Mendes was surrounded by his wife, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and his children at the time of his passing. They noted that Mendes last performed in November 2023, captivating sold-out audiences in Paris, London, and Barcelona.
Mendes was originally from Niterói, a city adjacent to Rio de Janeiro, where he studied classical music before immersing himself in jazz. He entered the Bossa Nova scene in the late 1950s and early 1960s alongside legends like Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto.
In 1962, Mendes made a significant trip to New York for a Bossa Nova festival at Carnegie Hall, where he caught the attention of Cannonball Adderley. This collaboration led to his first American album, “The Swinger from Rio,” released under Atlantic Records.
By 1964, Mendes moved to California and formed the group Brazil ’64, which eventually became Brazil ’66 when he collaborated with two female vocalists. Their debut album, produced by Herb Alpert, featured the popular track “Mas Que Nada.” Initially released in 1963 by Jorge Ben Jor, Mendes reinvented the song, giving it a vibrant jazz flavor that contributed to its international success.
Mendes’ rendition became a global phenomenon and played a key role in the Brazilian music craze of the 1960s. In 2006, the Black Eyed Peas’ cover of “Mas Que Nada” reached the U.S. charts, emphasizing its lasting appeal. Mendes was also noted for his album “Timeless,” which included collaborations with prominent artists like Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake.
Tributes have poured in for Mendes, including a heartfelt message from trumpeter Alpert, who praised Mendes as a true friend and a gifted musician who shared Brazilian music with the world.
Throughout his career, Mendes produced a diverse array of hits, ranging from covers of the Beatles to original compositions. He won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1992 for “Brasileiro” and received nominations for two Latin Grammy Awards, as well as an Oscar nomination in 2012 for the song “Real in Rio” from the animated film “Rio.”
Mendes’ family has indicated that they will share details about funeral and memorial services in the future.