Sérgio Santos Mendes was born on February 11, 1941, in Niterói, Brazil. His father was a doctor, and as a child, Mendes spent three years in a cast due to a bone infection. He was one of the first people in Brazil to receive penicillin. Sérgio Mendes initially wanted to be a classical pianist but later became interested in jazz and bossa nova, a style of music that blends samba and jazz.
In the late 1950s, Sérgio Mendes started playing in nightclubs and formed a group called Sexteto Bossa Rio in 1961. They recorded an album called "Dance Moderno." Sérgio Mendes performed in Europe and the U.S., recording with jazz musicians like Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann, and played at Carnegie Hall. He moved to the U.S. in 1964 and released albums with his group, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '65.
Sérgio Mendes worked with Richard Adler to create Brasil '65, a group that included prominent Brazilian musicians. Later, he formed Brasil '66, which gained international success. One of his biggest hits was "Mas que Nada," which he re-recorded with the Black Eyed Peas in 2006. This new version was part of the album "Timeless," which featured many famous artists and became popular in Europe.
In 2012, Sérgio Mendes was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Real in Rio" from the animated film "Rio." He also co-produced the soundtracks for "Rio" and its sequel. In 2020, a documentary about Sérgio Mendes called "Sérgio Mendes in the Key of Joy" was released. Sérgio Mendes gave his last performances in November 2023.
Sérgio Mendes passed away on September 5, 2024, in Los Angeles, at the age of 83. He had over 55 albums and was known for blending bossa nova with funk.
Awards and Nominations
Academy Awards
Nominated for Best Original Song in 2012 for "Real in Rio."
Grammy Awards
- 1969: Nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "The Fool on the Hill."
- 1993: Won Best World Music Album for "Brasileiro."
- 2007: Nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Mas que Nada" featuring Black Eyed Peas.
- 2011: Nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album for "Bom Tempo."
- 2015: Nominated for Best World Music Album for "Magic."
Latin Grammy Awards
- 2005: Won Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2006: Nominated for Record of the Year for "Mas que Nada" featuring Black Eyed Peas.
- 2008: Nominated for Best Brazilian Song for "Acode" featuring Vanessa da Mata.
- 2010: Won Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album for "Bom Tempo."
FAQs
1. What is Sérgio Mendes real name?
- Sérgio Mendes full name is Sérgio Santos Mendes.
2. How old was Sérgio Mendes when he passed away?
- Sérgio Mendes was 83 years old at the time of his death as of 2024.
3. What was Sérgio Mendes nationality?
- He was Brazilian.
4. What was Sérgio Mendes career?
- Sérgio Mendes was a musician, bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger, and songwriter known for playing bossa nova and funk.
5. Where did Sérgio Mendes receive his education?
- He attended a local conservatory in Brazil, where he studied music with hopes of becoming a classical pianist.
6. Who were Sérgio Mendes parents?
- His father was a physician, but the names of his parents are not widely documented.
7. Did Sérgio Mendes have any siblings?
- Information about Sérgio Mendes' siblings is not widely available.
8. Who was Sérgio Mendes wife?
- Sérgio Mendes was married to Gracinha Leporace, who performed with him from the early 1970s.
9. How many albums did Sérgio Mendes release?
- Sérgio Mendes released over 55 albums during his career.
10. What notable achievements did Sérgio Mendes receive?
- Sérgio Mendes was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2012 for "Real in Rio," won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1993 for "Brasileiro," and received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
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