Sergio Mendes, one of the most important figures in Brazilian music, has died at the age of 83. His health had been deteriorating since the coronavirus pandemic, and he finally died as a result, as reported by his family in a statement. He was accompanied by his partner of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes.
Sergio Mendes studied piano during the 1940s at a local conservatory, releasing his debut ‘Dance Moderno’ at the height of the bossa nova movement in 1961. Antônio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto had acted as his godfathers. Songs such as ‘Oba-là-là’ and ‘Outra vez’ appeared on it.
But it was the performance of ‘Mas que nada’ that definitely changed his course. It was included in ‘Herb Alpert Presents: Sergio Mendes & Brazil ’66’ (Herb Alpert has published an emotional recollection), reaching number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. You will recognize this composition by samba legend Jorge Ben, from the first chord. It has been revisited hundreds of times. As a curiosity, when we interviewed Trevor Horn, one of the most prestigious producers of all time, he told us this: “If I want to hear a vocal harmony group, I prefer to listen to The 5th Dimension, or Sergio Mendes & Brazil ’66.”
One of the times that ‘Mas que nada’ was revisited was in a Black Eyed Peas remix, as unnecessary as it was successful. It has almost 100 million streams. On that album of vindication of his catalogue, ‘Timeless’ from 2006, also appeared Erykah Badu, John Legend, Justin Timberlake and Stevie Wonder, among others. will.i.am himself produced the album and appeared on half a dozen tracks.
Other key points in Sergio Mendes’ career were the success of ‘Magalenha’, his interpretation of ‘The Look of Love’ or his appearance at the Oscars with the James Bond theme for ‘Casino Royal’ in 1968. In 1992 he won his only Grammy for ‘Brasileiro’ in the World Music Album category.
