Sérgio Mendes
Sérgio Mendes | |
|---|---|
Mendes in 1971 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sérgio Santos Mendes |
| Also known as | Santos Sergio |
| Born | 11 February 1941 Niterói, Federal District, Brazil |
| Died | 5 September 2024 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Piano |
| Discography | Sérgio Mendes discography |
| Years active | 1961–2023 |
| Labels | |
| Spouse | Gracinha Leporace |
Sérgio Santos Mendes (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈsɛʁʒju ˈsɐ̃tuz ˈmẽdʒis]; 11 February 1941 – 5 September 2024) was a Brazilian musician.
His career took off with worldwide hits by his band Brasil '66. He released 35 albums and was known for playing bossa nova, often mixed with funk. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2012 as a co-writer of "Real in Rio" from the animated film Rio.
Mendes was primarily known in the United States, where his albums were recorded and where most of his touring took place. He was married to Gracinha Leporace, who performed with him from the early 1970s. Mendes collaborated with many artists, including Black Eyed Peas, with whom he re-recorded in 2006 a remake of his 1966 version of the song "Mas que nada", which was a breakthrough hit for him.