Sergio Mendes

2024 - 9 - 6

Brazil’s Bossa Nova King Takes His Final Bow at 83

Bossa Nova - Brazil '66 - Brazilian music - cultural ambassador - Grammy Awards - long COVID - Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician who brought Bossa Nova to the world stage, has passed away. Let's celebrate his legendary contributions!

Sergio Mendes, the renowned Brazilian musician who effortlessly straddled genres and cultures, has sadly passed away at the age of 83 in Los Angeles. Best known for his global hit "Mas Que Nada," Mendes played a pivotal role in introducing Bossa Nova—the smooth Brazilian genre blending samba and jazz—to the international audience. His passion for music allowed him to combine traditional Brazilian rhythms with pop sounds, thus paving the way for future artists and bands.

He first gained widespread fame with his group Brasil ’66, which topped charts and won hearts with their infectious beats and captivating melodies. Mendes didn’t shy away from collaborations; he joined forces with international stars like the Black Eyed Peas and produced several albums that showcased Brazil’s rich musical tapestry. Despite battling long-term COVID-19, his contributions to music remained evergreen, serving as a testament to his resilience as an artist.

Over the past six decades, Mendes’s music transcended borders, earning him numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards. He was a trailblazer, making Bossa Nova an integral part of the global music scene during the ‘60s. Tracks like "The Look of Love" and his enchanting interpretations of Beatles classics showcased his extraordinary talent as a pianist and arranger—still revered by music enthusiasts worldwide.

As fans mourn the loss of this musical great, it’s essential to remember Mendes’s legacy as a bridge between Brazil and the rest of the world. Fun fact: Even at 83, he was still active in the music scene, recently working on new projects that reminded us all of his fresh and captivating style. He leaves behind not just a catalog of timeless songs, but a rich cultural fusion that influenced countless artists. Another interesting tidbit? Mendes’s "Mas Que Nada" has been covered over 200 times, proving that while he may no longer be with us, his music will resonate for generations!

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Image courtesy of "The Brazilian Report"

Sergio Mendes, who took Brazilian Bossa to the world, dies at 83 (The Brazilian Report)

Sergio Mendes, one of the most internationally famous Brazilian musicians, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 83.

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Image courtesy of "NY1 Noticias"

Fallece a los 83 años Sergio Mendes, leyenda de la bossa nova (NY1 Noticias)

Sergio Mendes fue el músico brasileño ganador del Grammy cuyo éxito "Mas que nada" lo convirtió en una leyenda mundial.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Muere el cantautor brasileño Sérgio Mendes a los 83 años (CNN)

Sérgio Mendes, cantante y compositor que ayudó a popularizar la música bossa nova de su Brasil natal, falleció el jueves en Los Ángeles, según informó su ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Sergio Mendes, Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend, dies at 83 (ABC News)

Sergio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose 1966 hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global superstar, has died after months battling the effects ...

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

Sérgio Mendes dead: Brazilian bossa nova singer was 83 (Los Angeles Times)

Sérgio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian band leader who helped popularize bossa nova in the '60s, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 83.

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Image courtesy of "New York Times en Español"

Muere Sergio Mendes a los 83 años (New York Times en Español)

Pianista, compositor y arreglista, saltó a la fama con el grupo Brasil '66 y siguió siendo una fuerza musical durante más de seis décadas.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes dies aged 83 (The Guardian)

Mendes, who popularised bossa nova among global audiences in the 1960s, had been suffering from the effects of long-term Covid, his family said.

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Image courtesy of "Pitchfork"

Sergio Mendes, Brazilian Bossa Nova Great, Dies at 83 (Pitchfork)

The singer, composer, bandleader, and keyboardist became one of the major crossover artists of his time, scoring U.S. hits with “Mas Que Nada” and “The Look ...

Sérgio Mendes, Brazilian Bossa Nova Legend, Dead at 83 (Rolling Stone)

Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian bossa nova legend who became a Grammy-winning international star with his band Brasil '66, has died at the age of 83.

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

Sergio Mendes Dead: Brazilian Pop Innovator Was 83 (Variety)

Sergio Mendes, the influential pianist, composer and arranger who was one of Brazil's earliest contemporary crossover artists, has died.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Sergio Mendes, 83, Dies; Brought Brazilian Rhythms to the U.S. Pop ... (The New York Times)

A pianist, composer and arranger, he rose to fame with the group Brasil '66 and remained a force in popular music for more than six decades.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Sergio Mendes: Brazilian music legend dies, aged 83 (BBC News)

One of the biggest-selling Brazilian artists of all time, he scored a global hit with Mas Que Nada.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Sergio Mendes, Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend, dies at 83 (ABC News)

Sergio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose 1966 hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global superstar, has died after months battling the effects ...

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Sérgio Mendes, Brazilian Bossa Nova Giant and Bandleader Dies at ... (Billboard)

Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian bossa nova giant and bandleader who brought his nation's swinging sound to the world, has died at 83.

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Muere Sérgio Mendes, gigante brasileño de la bossa nova, a los 83 ... (Billboard)

El legendario músico tuvo una serie de éxitos internacionales en su carrera se seis décadas, incluyendo "Mas Que Nada" y versiones de los Beatles.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Brazilian music legend Sérgio Mendes dies at 83 (NPR)

Sérgio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global legend, has died after months battling the effects of long ...

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Image courtesy of "Redlands Daily Facts"

Sergio Mendes, Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend, dies at 83 (Redlands Daily Facts)

His 1966 hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global superstar. The pianist, songwriter and arranger died after months battling the effects of long COVID.

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Image courtesy of "Telemundo Utah"

Fallece Sergio Mendes leyenda de la bossa nova (Telemundo Utah)

El músico brasileño ganador del Grammy, conocido por la versión de “Más que nada” en bossa nova, murió después de meses luchando contra los efectos...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Sérgio Mendes, Brazilian musician who helped popularize bossa ... (USA TODAY)

The Grammy-winning jazz and bossa nova musician, who formed the group Brasil '66, was known for his 1966 hit, "Mas Que Nada."

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes of 'Mas Que Nada' fame dies ... (PBS NewsHour)

Sergio Mendes, the celebrated Brazilian musician whose 1966 hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global superstar and helped launched a long, Grammy-winning career ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Sergio Mendes: 10 Essential Songs (The New York Times)

The bandleader and musician, who died on Thursday at 83, was a bridge from Brazilian music to the world — and back.

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Image courtesy of "Bay to Bay News"

Sergio Mendes, Grammy-winning Brazilian music legend, dies at 83 (Bay to Bay News)

FILE - Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes sits for a portrait at home in Los Angeles, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File).

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Sergio Mendes' 10 Best Hits: Music That Fused Jazz, Pop, Latin and ... (Billboard)

Sergio Mendes' 10 Best Hits: Music That Fused Jazz, Pop, Latin and a Little Sex: Billboard list.

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Image courtesy of "MercoPress"

Brazilian Bossa Nova legend Sergio Mendes dies aged 83 (MercoPress)

Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, who once won a Grammy Award, succumbed Thursday in the city of Los Angeles to the effects of prolonged Covid-19, ...

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Image courtesy of "artsfuse.org"

Arts Remembrance: To Sérgio with Love -- Sérgio Mendes, 1941 ... (artsfuse.org)

Sergio Mendes, the man who ignited my own love affair with Brazilian music, has passed, at the age of 83, from complications of long Covid.

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