Sergio Mendes, the Brazilian Grammy-winning musician whose hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global legend, died after months of battling the effects of prolonged covid, his publicist Karen Vock confirmed to CBS News on Friday. He was 83.
The Brazilian pianist, songwriter and arranger died Thursday in Los Angeles, his family said in a statement.
“His wife and musical partner of the last 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children,” the statement said on Friday. “Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold-out and enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona.”
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File
His composition “Mas Que Nada” was one of the songs that helped popularize the Brazilian music genre bossa nova worldwide in the 1960s.
In 2006, a modern version of the song topped the US charts, as performed by the Black Eyed Peas. It was included on his album “Timeless”, produced by will.i.am and featuring Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas, among others.
“Sergio Mendes was my brother from another country,” trumpeter Herb Alpert wrote on Facebookalong with a photo from decades ago, sitting next to Mendes at the piano. “He was a true friend and extremely talented musician who brought Brazilian music in all its iterations to the world with elegance.”
Mendes also composed the soundtrack for the film “Pelé”, with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, and even produced an album recorded by the legendary Brazilian footballer.
Mendes won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for “Brasileiro” and two Latin Grammy Awards. He also received an Academy Award nomination in 2012 for Best Original Song for “Real in Rio,” from the animated film “Rio.”
Mendes’ family said they will provide details of funeral and memorial services at a later date.