Died Sergio Mendesthe Grammy-winning Brazilian musician whose hit But nothing turned it into a world legendHe spent months battling the effects of long-term COVID. He was 83 years old.
The death of the Brazilian pianist, composer and arranger on Thursday was confirmed only this Friday in a statement from his family:
“His wife and musical partner of the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was at his side, as were his beloved children. Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold-out and enthusiastic venues in Paris, London and Barcelona.”
Your topic But nothing It was one of the songs that helped popularize the Brazilian musical 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 in his album Timelessproduced by will.i.am and featuring Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas, among others.
“Sergio Mendes was my brother from another country,” trumpeter Herb Alpert wrote on Facebook, alongside a decades-old photo of himself sitting next to Mendes at the piano. “He was a true friend and an extremely talented musician who brought Brazilian music in all its forms to the entire world with elegance.”
Mendes was born in 1941 in Niterói, a city neighboring Rio de Janeiro, where he began studying piano at the conservatory as a young man.
While training, he came into contact with the bossa nova of Tom Jobim and João Gilberto, who would leave a permanent mark on his music.
He was married to Brazilian singer Gracinha Leporace, with whom he also had musical collaborations.
He also composed the film’s soundtrack. Skin with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, and even produced an album recorded by the legendary Brazilian footballer.
Mendes won the Grammy Award in 1992 for best world music album Brazilian and two Latin Grammy Awards. She also received an Oscar nomination in 2012 for Best Original Song for Real in Rioof the animated film Rio.
Mendes’ family said they will provide details about funeral and memorial services at a later date.
