Who Was Sergio Mendes? All About Grammy-Winning Brazilian Music Icon As He Passes Way At 83

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for music, I am deeply saddened by the news of Sergio Mendes‘ passing at the age of 88. His contributions to the world of music, particularly bossa nova and jazz, have left an indelible mark that will continue to resonate for generations to come.


TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains mentions of death.

Brazilian music legend Sérgio Mendes, renowned for spreading bossa nova with his group Brasil ’66 during the 1960s, has sadly passed away at 83 years old. His family shared the news on his social media platforms. As per his family’s statement, the lingering effects of COVID-19 ultimately caused his demise.

Over the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, who was both his wife and musical collaborator, stood by him, alongside their loving children. In November 2023, Mendes took to the stage for his final performance, which drew packed and ecstatic crowds in Paris, London, and Barcelona. However, for the past few months, he had been battling health issues stemming from long-term complications of Covid.

Born on the 11th of February, 1941, in Niterói, Sergio Mendes started his musical journey under the influence of his physician father who inspired him to delve into formal music education, with the aim of becoming a professional classical pianist.

As he neared Rio de Janeiro, his enthusiasm for classical music waned, replaced by an ardor for Brazilian and American jazz. By the late 1950s, he was taking to the stage in nightclubs as his love for jazz flourished, coinciding with the advent of bossa nova – a style born from the fusion of samba and jazz.

Initially, he quickly began playing in local ensembles consisting of trios and quartets. Later, in the year 1962, he relocated to the United States with his band Brasil ’66. They eventually garnered recognition for their popular hit song The Look of Love, released in 1967, as well as their Portuguese-language single Mas Que Nada, which was released a year prior in 1966.

Over the course of his professional journey, he collaborated with several iconic musicians such as Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Herb Albert, and Quincy Jones. Some of his notable songs include “Never Gonna Let You Go”, “Night and Day”, and “Scarborough Fair”.

10 years after 2005, he received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy as a recognition of his work. Five years subsequent to that, his album “Bom Tempo” won him another Grammy in the category of Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album.

Apart from animating the movies “Rio” and “Rio 2”, Mendes was involved in their music production as well. He received an Oscar nomination for the original song “Real in Rio” in 2012, under the category of Best Original Song.

Currently, Mendes is left behind by his wife Gracinha Leporace, along with his sons Tiago and Gustavo, and his three children from his previous marriage: Bernardo, Rodrigo, and Isabella. Additionally, he has seven grandchildren who will carry on their legacy.

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2024-09-07 08:53