Sergio Mendes, the innovative and influential pianist, composer and arranger who was one of Brazil's first contemporary crossover artists, died Friday in Los Angeles, his family confirmed. No cause of death was released, although he had recently been suffering from long-term Covid. He was 83.
Sergio Mendes & Brazil '77 – Pais Tropical (official visualization)
Mendes "passed away peacefully" in his native Los Angeles, according to a statement from his family, quoted in the Guardian. "His wife and musical partner of the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was at his side, as were his loving children. Mendes last performed to sold-out and rapturous audiences in Paris, London and Barcelona in November 2023," they said. "In recent months his health has been challenged by the effects of prolonged Covid."
His longtime friend and collaborator Herb Alpert wrote on social media: "Sergio Mendes was my brother from another country. He was a true friend and an extraordinarily talented musician who brought Brazilian music in all its forms with elegance [and] joy to the entire world."
A post shared by Herb Alpert (@officialherbalpert)
