RIO DE JANEIRO — Sergio Mendes, the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global legend, has died after months of battling the effects of long COVID. He was 83.
The death Thursday of the Brazilian pianist, songwriter and arranger was confirmed by his family in a statement.
“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children,” the statement said Friday. “Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold-out and extremely enthusiastic venues in Paris, London and Barcelona.”
His composition ‘Mas que Nada’ was one of the songs that popularized the Brazilian music genre bossa nova worldwide in the 1960s.
In 2006, a modern version of the song topped the US charts, performed by 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.
“Sergio Mendes was my brother from another country,” trumpeter Herb Alpert wrote on Facebook, along with a photo from decades ago, sitting next to Mendes at the piano. “He was a true friend and an extremely gifted musician who brought Brazilian music in all its iterations to the entire world with elegance.”
Mendes also composed the soundtrack for the film ‘Pelé’, featuring saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, and even produced an album recorded by the Brazilian legendary footballer.
Mendes won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for “Brasileiro” and two Latin Grammy Awards. He also received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 2012 for “Real in Rio,” from the animated film “Rio.”
Mendes’ family said they will provide details about funeral and memorial services at a later date.
