Summary: Sérgio Mendes, the Brazilian musician who helped bring bossa nova to the world stage, has passed away at 83 in Los Angeles. Mendes, famed for his band Brasil ’66 and his global hit “Mas Que Nada,” had been facing health issues from long-term Covid. Mendes’ family confirmed his peaceful passing, with tributes pouring in from musical peers across the globe, recognizing his profound influence on Brazilian and global music.

Details: Sérgio Mendes, a pioneer of bossa nova and Brazilian samba jazz, died at 83 due to complications from long-term COVID-19. Mendes is best known for introducing Brazilian rhythms to a global audience with his group Brasil ’66, creating hits like “Mas Que Nada” and a rendition of “The Look of Love,” which brought him into the U.S. pop charts. His family stated that he passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and musical partner of 54 years, Gracinha Leporace, and his children.

Musicians around the world, including Brazil’s Milton Nascimento and João Bosco, mourned Mendes’s death, describing him as an ambassador of Brazilian music. Nascimento, a close friend, said he will carry Mendes in his heart forever. Mendes’ influence extended beyond Brazilian music, collaborating with international stars such as Herb Alpert, Stevie Wonder, and the Black Eyed Peas, with whom he collaborated on a re-recording of “Mas Que Nada” in 2006.

Mendes’ career spanned over six decades, during which he produced more than 30 albums, won three Grammy Awards, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the animated film Rio. Mendes performed his last concert in 2023 to sold-out audiences in Paris, London, and Barcelona, leaving an indelible mark on the music world with his rhythmic innovation and global appeal.