Arts Remembrance: To Sérgio with Love -- Sérgio Mendes, 1941–2024 - The Arts Fuse
Sergio Mendes, the person who sparked my passion for Brazilian music, has sadly passed away at the age of 83 due to complications from long-term Covid.
The former Sergio Mendes always had a unique style, no matter what elements he incorporated. This photo was taken from his Facebook page.
A couple of weeks ago, I was surprised by a post on the Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 fan page on Facebook announcing the death of the talented L.A.-based Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and producer who played a huge role in spreading Brazilian music in the US and worldwide. However, it turned out to be false information. So when I saw a similar post in the group today, I was doubtful. After a quick search, I found out that his Wikipedia page was referring to him in the past tense. Subsequent posts by friends and news sources confirmed the sad news - the man who sparked my interest in Brazilian music had indeed passed away at 83 due to complications from long Covid.
Despite being considered too young, Sergio Mendes had been touring until November 2023. His albums and shows in recent years showcased his incredible energy and skill as a musician. He began his music career in the 1950s as a jazz pianist influenced by Antônio Carlos Jobim. Mendes gained international attention after performing at the 1962 Carnegie Hall bossa nova concert, which introduced bossa nova and samba to the world of jazz and popular music. Hits like "Mas que nada," "The Look of Love," and a lively cover of The Beatles' "The Fool on the Hill" solidified Mendes' unique style that combined Brazilian music, jazz, and pop.
How can we explain his long career in the music industry? According to information on Wikipedia, he has released around 55 albums and singles, consistently recording music from 1961 to 2020. Throughout the decades, he explored various genres such as R&B and funk, adding his unique touch to each. He supported both Brazilian and international songwriters, collaborating with artists like Stevie Wonder, will.i.am., Paul Simon, and many more. His signature sound remained constant, with his iconic two-female-singer lineup showcasing talented voices like Lani Hall and his wife, Gracinha Leporace.
Now, let's dive into a more personal aspect. Along with writing for Arts Fuse, I also happen to be a vocalist. Growing up, one of the albums that really stood out to me from my parents' collection was Look Around, a classic from 1968. Every song on that album resonated with me, so much so that I brought it along with me to college (and yes, I still have it). Some of the songs were in English, some in Portuguese, and some in both languages. At the time, I didn't pay much attention to who the composers were. However, as I delved into Brazilian music thanks to Milton Nascimento and the radio show "Coração Brasileiro" on WERS (Emerson College), I realized that I was familiar with many of the songs I heard through Sérgio Mendes. To make a long story short, I decided to incorporate Brazilian tunes into my jazz repertoire, including classics like "Mas que nada." I even started learning Portuguese so that I could sing the original lyrics. In 2010, I joined forces with other musicians who shared my love for Sérgio Mendes and formed the tribute band To Sérgio with Love. While the project only lasted a couple of years, it was one of the most enjoyable, well-received, and rewarding musical endeavors I've ever been a part of.
On the website promoting his latest album, In the Key of Joy, Sérgio expresses gratitude for his lengthy career. He mentions a favorite English word of his, "serendipity," and how it has played a role in many positive experiences in his life. I am personally thankful to Sérgio Mendes for introducing me to his music many years ago through a lucky chance encounter. I'm willing to bet that most people outside of Brazil who have a deep appreciation for Brazilian music are familiar with Sérgio Mendes and his musical contributions.
The Best Five Songs by Sérgio Mendes
A Few Opinions
2014 Album "Enchantment" Critique The year 2014 saw the release of the album "Enchantment", which was met with both critical and commercial success.
Recap of the 2019 show celebrating the 60th anniversary of Bossa Nova featuring performances by Sérgio Mendes and Bebel Gilberto
Evelyn Rosenthal is a singer who focuses on jazz and Brazilian music, a self-employed editor, and the ex-chief editor and head publisher at the Harvard Art Museums. She covers topics like musical theater and music for the Arts Fuse.
