Intemporal
September 6, 2024 7:52 PM Subscribe
Sergio Mendes, global ambassador of Brazilian bossa nova, has died in Los Angeles.
Born in southern Brazil in the 1940s, Mendes was on his way to becoming a concert pianist when he started noticing jazz instead - in particular bossa nova, a laid-back jazzy take on the traditional Brazilian samba. After touring Brazil as a backup pianist for other American jazz artists, Mendes formed his own group and eventually moved to the United States himself, dubbing his band "Brasil '65". One year (and one name change) later, his Brasil '66 struck it big with "Mas Que Nada", his first big hit.
Fans in the 60s and 70s recognized him best for his bossa-nova influenced covers of English-language hits by Dusty Springfield or The Beatles, usually featuring Mendes himself on piano and his wife Gracinha Leporace on vocals. Mendes was a frequent collaborator with other musicians - Brasil '66 was an early partner of trumpeter Herb Alpert (and only cut ties after another Brasil '66 member quit to marry Alpert), Stevie Wonder wrote them a number in 1977, and his 2006 album Timeless boasted guest appearances from Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, India Arie, Justin Timberlake, and a remix of his "Mas Que Nada" with the Black Eyed Peas.
Mendes, who suffered from complications due to long Covid, is survived by his wife Gracinha Leporace and five children.
Born in southern Brazil in the 1940s, Mendes was on his way to becoming a concert pianist when he started noticing jazz instead - in particular bossa nova, a laid-back jazzy take on the traditional Brazilian samba. After touring Brazil as a backup pianist for other American jazz artists, Mendes formed his own group and eventually moved to the United States himself, dubbing his band "Brasil '65". One year (and one name change) later, his Brasil '66 struck it big with "Mas Que Nada", his first big hit.
Fans in the 60s and 70s recognized him best for his bossa-nova influenced covers of English-language hits by Dusty Springfield or The Beatles, usually featuring Mendes himself on piano and his wife Gracinha Leporace on vocals. Mendes was a frequent collaborator with other musicians - Brasil '66 was an early partner of trumpeter Herb Alpert (and only cut ties after another Brasil '66 member quit to marry Alpert), Stevie Wonder wrote them a number in 1977, and his 2006 album Timeless boasted guest appearances from Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, India Arie, Justin Timberlake, and a remix of his "Mas Que Nada" with the Black Eyed Peas.
Mendes, who suffered from complications due to long Covid, is survived by his wife Gracinha Leporace and five children.
An absolute giant.
I was lucky to see him last year, and what a delight that was. He gave it his all, and with such joy, all these songs he’d played a million times before. A man in love with life.
Godspeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:22 PM on September 6 [2 favorites]
I was lucky to see him last year, and what a delight that was. He gave it his all, and with such joy, all these songs he’d played a million times before. A man in love with life.
Godspeed.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:22 PM on September 6 [2 favorites]
.
His 65 and 66 albums are absolute masterpieces that I go back to over and over again and are little time capsules that can bring joy to anybody. I'm sad but at the same time happy that he was able to bring some sunshine into my life.
posted by ashbury at 8:34 PM on September 6 [5 favorites]
His 65 and 66 albums are absolute masterpieces that I go back to over and over again and are little time capsules that can bring joy to anybody. I'm sad but at the same time happy that he was able to bring some sunshine into my life.
posted by ashbury at 8:34 PM on September 6 [5 favorites]
In 1983, he released the beautiful ballad “Never Gonna Let You Go”, composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and sung by Joe Pizzulo and Leeza Miller.
posted by New Frontier at 8:55 PM on September 6 [1 favorite]
posted by New Frontier at 8:55 PM on September 6 [1 favorite]
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posted by pianoblack at 9:02 PM on September 6
posted by pianoblack at 9:02 PM on September 6
He left us a full catalog of magically wondrous and delightful beats and melodies.
YouTuber Rick Beato examined Mendes' hit "Never Gonna Let You Go" and praised it as 'the most complex pop song' he'd ever come across.
Brasil '66, Brasil '77 and Brasil '88 brought him to us, but in the end it was Covid '19 that took him from us.
. for this Maestro.
posted by zaixfeep at 9:04 PM on September 6 [3 favorites]
YouTuber Rick Beato examined Mendes' hit "Never Gonna Let You Go" and praised it as 'the most complex pop song' he'd ever come across.
Brasil '66, Brasil '77 and Brasil '88 brought him to us, but in the end it was Covid '19 that took him from us.
. for this Maestro.
posted by zaixfeep at 9:04 PM on September 6 [3 favorites]
the beautiful ballad “Never Gonna Let You Go”
For that song specifically, as well as his cool additions to my late 60s AM radio soundtrack with Brasil '66,
.
posted by Rash at 9:06 PM on September 6
For that song specifically, as well as his cool additions to my late 60s AM radio soundtrack with Brasil '66,
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posted by Rash at 9:06 PM on September 6
Thanks for the music and .
posted by gentlyepigrams at 9:38 PM on September 6
posted by gentlyepigrams at 9:38 PM on September 6
Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 were the gateway drug that led people to discover the awesomeness of Brazilian music, bossa nova and beyond. Loved his music then and now.
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posted by the sobsister at 9:48 PM on September 6 [4 favorites]
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posted by the sobsister at 9:48 PM on September 6 [4 favorites]
I saw Brasil '66 in 1966 with my then fiancée, who bought the tickets as a surprise gift, in Washington, DC. They were great. We got married later that year. That's all I have to say.
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posted by CCBC at 10:09 PM on September 6 [3 favorites]
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posted by CCBC at 10:09 PM on September 6 [3 favorites]
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posted by mcdoublewide at 10:18 PM on September 6
posted by mcdoublewide at 10:18 PM on September 6
aww shit. what a life, what a man. I'll confess that the first thing I thought was Herb Alperts "whipped cream" before realizing it was by the other guy. A&M brought us so much good music.
posted by lkc at 1:16 AM on September 7
posted by lkc at 1:16 AM on September 7
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posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 1:47 AM on September 7
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 1:47 AM on September 7
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posted by trip and a half at 3:31 AM on September 7
posted by trip and a half at 3:31 AM on September 7
A true icon - magical music that defined a time and an era. Thank you for the music, Sergio. It will live forever. My particular favorite: Pretty World
posted by davidmsc at 8:49 AM on September 7
posted by davidmsc at 8:49 AM on September 7
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posted by 2N2222 at 8:22 PM on September 6 [2 favorites]