Sérgio Mendes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sérgio Mendes
Mendes in 1971
Background information
Birth name	Sérgio Santos Mendes
Also known as	Santos Sergio
Born	(1941-02-11)February 11, 1941 Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died	September 5, 2024(2024-09-05) (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Bossa nova Latin Latin jazz jazz disco adult contemporary soft rock
Occupation(s)	Bandleader pianist composer arranger songwriter
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1961–2023
Labels	Capitol Atlantic A&M Elektra Concord
Associated acts	Brasil '66

Sérgio Santos Mendes (born February 11, 1941 – died September 5, 2024) was a famous Brazilian musician. He was a talented pianist, composer, and bandleader. His music often blended bossa nova with funk and jazz.

Sérgio Mendes became well-known around the world with his band, Brasil '66. He released over 55 albums during his long career. In 2012, he was even nominated for an Oscar for the song "Real in Rio." This song was from the animated movie Rio.

Mendes spent most of his career in the United States. He recorded many albums and toured there often. He was married to Gracinha Leporace, who was also a singer in his band. Sérgio Mendes worked with many different artists. One famous collaboration was with the Black Eyed Peas in 2006. They re-recorded his hit song "Mas que Nada" together.

Biography

Early Musical Journey

Sérgio Mendes was born in Niterói, Brazil. His father was a doctor. Sérgio first studied classical piano, hoping to become a classical musician. But soon, he became very interested in jazz music.

In the late 1950s, Mendes began playing in nightclubs. This was when bossa nova music was becoming popular in Brazil. Bossa nova is a smooth style of music that mixes samba with jazz. Mendes played with famous Brazilian musicians like Antônio Carlos Jobim. He also played with many American jazz artists who visited Brazil.

In 1961, Mendes formed a group called Sexteto Bossa Rio. They recorded an album called Dance Moderno. He then toured in Europe and the United States. During this time, he recorded albums with jazz legends like Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann. He even performed at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 1964, Mendes moved to the U.S. and formed a group called Sergio Mendes & Brasil '65.

The Rise of Brasil '66

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66

Sérgio Mendes' early jazz albums did not sell very well. His partner, Richard Adler, suggested that the group should sing in English. This would help their music reach more people. They decided to find two American female singers who could sing in both English and Portuguese.

This new group was called "Brasil '66." They signed with A&M Records, a record label owned by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. Herb Alpert became the producer for their albums. Brasil '66 became very successful with their first single, "Mas que Nada." This song was originally written by Jorge Ben.

Their first album with A&M was Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. It sold millions of copies, thanks to "Mas que Nada" and Herb Alpert's support. The original Brasil '66 group included Mendes on piano, and vocalists Lani Hall and Sylvia Dulce Kleiner. They also had a bassist, a percussionist, and a drummer.

Mendes often changed the singers and musicians in his group. Lani Hall, one of the lead singers, later left to start her solo career. She also married Herb Alpert.

Brasil '66 became even more famous in 1968. They performed the Oscar-nominated song "The Look of Love" at the Academy Awards show. Their version of the song quickly became a top 10 hit. After this, Mendes had more hit songs like "The Fool on the Hill" and "Scarborough Fair." Sérgio Mendes became one of the biggest Brazilian music stars in the world. He performed for presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon at the White House.

Continued Success and Collaborations

In the mid-1970s, Mendes' popularity in the U.S. slowed down a bit. However, he remained very popular in South America and Japan. He continued to release new music, exploring different styles like soul. He even worked with the legendary musician Stevie Wonder.

In 1983, Mendes returned to A&M Records. He had more success with his self-titled album, Sérgio Mendes. Many of his songs became popular on adult contemporary radio stations. His song "Never Gonna Let You Go" was a huge hit in 1983. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1984, his album Confetti included the hit song "Olympia." This song was used as a theme for the Olympic Games that year.

In 1992, Mendes released the album Brasileiro, which won a Grammy Award. This album showed his mastery of Brazilian jazz mixed with pop music. In the late 1990s, there was a renewed interest in his classic Brasil '66 albums.

Later Career and Legacy

Mendes in concert, 2016

In 2006, Sérgio Mendes released the album Timeless. This album featured many popular artists from hip hop and neo-soul. These included the Black Eyed Peas, Erykah Badu, John Legend, and Justin Timberlake.

The album included a new version of "Mas que Nada" with the Black Eyed Peas. Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace, also sang on this version. This re-recorded song became very popular in Europe. It reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

Sérgio Mendes also helped produce the music for two animated movies about his home country, Brazil. These were Rio (2011) and its sequel (2014). In 2020, a documentary film about his life was released, called Sergio Mendes in the Key of Joy. He performed his last concerts in November 2023.

Death

Sérgio Mendes passed away on September 5, 2024, at the age of 83. He died in a hospital in Los Angeles. His wife, Gracinha Leporace, was with him. His death was caused by problems related to Long COVID.

Discography

Sérgio Mendes released many albums throughout his career. Here is a list of some of his notable works:

• 1961: Dance Moderno (Philips)
• 1962: Cannonball's Bossa Nova (Riverside/Capitol Records)
• 1963: Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada! (a.k.a., The Beat of Brazil) (Philips)
• 1964: ... from Rio (a.k.a., Bossa Nova York) (Atlantic)
• 1965: In Person at El Matador (Atlantic)
• 1965: Brasil '65 (a.k.a. In The Brazilian Bag) (Capitol)
• 1965: The Great Arrival (Atlantic)
• 1966: Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M)
• 1967: Equinox (A&M)
• 1967: Quiet Nights (Philips)
• 1967: Look Around (A&M)
• 1968: Fool on the Hill (A&M)
• 1968: Sergio Mendes' Favorite Things (Atlantic)
• 1969: Crystal Illusions (A&M)
• 1969: Ye-Me-Lê (A&M)
• 1969: The Story of... Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '77 (a.k.a., Italia - Brazil, A&M)
• 1970: Live at Expo '70 (unreleased in the US, A&M)
• 1970: Stillness (A&M)
• 1971: País Tropical (A&M)
• 1971: Giorno (A&M)
• 1972: Four Sider (A&M, double compilation album)
• 1972: Primal Roots (a.k.a., Raízes - Brazil) (A&M)
• 1973: Love Music (Bell)
• 1974: Vintage 74 (Bell)
• 1975: Sérgio Mendes (a.k.a., I Believe - Brazil) (Elektra)
• 1976: Homecooking (Elektra)
• 1977: Sergio Mendes and the New Brasil '77 (Elektra)
• 1977: Pelé (Atlantic)
• 1978: Brasil '88 (Elektra)
• 1979: Alegria (a.k.a., Horizonte Aberto - Brazil) (WEA)
• 1979: Magic Lady (Elektra)
• 1980: The Beat Of Brazil (Atlantic)
• 1983: Sérgio Mendes (A&M)
• 1984: Confetti (A&M)
• 1986: Brasil '86 (A&M)
• 1989: Arara (A&M)
• 1992: Brasileiro (Elektra)
• 1996: Oceano (Verve)
• 1999: Matrix (Concord)
• 2006: Timeless (Concord)
• 2007: Encanto (Concord)
• 2009: Bom Tempo (Concord)
• 2014: Magic (Okeh)
• 2020: In the Key of Joy (Concord)

Awards and Recognition

Sérgio Mendes received many awards for his music.

Academy Awards

Grammy Awards

Latin Grammy Awards

Gracinha Leporace and Mendes, 1971

See also

In Spanish: Sérgio Mendes para niños

• List of Brazilian musicians