Sérgio Mendes Passes Away in Los Angeles Brazilian Music Icon Was 83

LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Sérgio Mendes, the legendary Brazilian musician who brought bossa nova to the world stage, has died at the age of 83. TMZ reports Mendes passed away in Los Angeles, though the cause of death has not been immediately released.

Mendes enjoyed a nearly 60-year career, collaborating with jazz icons like Herb Alpert and Cannonball Adderley. He was known for his band Brasil ’66, which popularized the jazzy samba style known as bossa nova. Their platinum-selling 1966 album Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 included the hit song “Mas Que Nada,” later re-recorded with the Black Eyed Peas in 2006.

Mendes’ accolades include 1 Grammy Award, 2 Latin Grammys, and an Oscar nomination in 2012 for the song “Real in Rio” from the animated movie Rio. His influence spanned generations, and in 2020, he was the subject of the documentary Sérgio Mendes: In the Key of Joy.

Sérgio Mendes is survived by his wife, Brazilian singer Gracinha Leporace, and five children.

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