Sergio Mendes, the celebrated Brazilian musician renowned for his pioneering role in bossa nova and samba jazz, has passed away at the age of 83. Mendes, whose career spanned over seven decades, left an indelible mark on the global music landscape through his innovative work and collaborations with some of the most iconic artists of his time. Known for his groundbreaking work with Brasil ’66 and his Grammy-winning contributions to both the bossa nova and jazz genres, Mendes’s death marks the end of an era for fans and collaborators worldwide.

Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1941, Sergio Mendes’s musical journey began with classical piano studies at Curso Santa Cecilia and the Conservatory of Music in Niterói. His early exposure to jazz, inspired by the likes of Dave Brubeck, led him to form a jazz club and pursue a career that would eventually take him to the international stage. Mendes’s breakthrough came in the 1950s as he performed in nightclubs across Brazil, but it was his move to the United States in the 1960s that solidified his place in music history.

In 1962, Mendes made a notable appearance at the Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York, sharing the stage with legends such as João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz, and Charlie Byrd. This performance was celebrated by The New York Times as one of the evening’s highlights. During his visit, Mendes also encountered jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Cannonball Adderley at Birdland. The invitation from Cannonball Adderley led to the recording of “Cannonball Adderley and The Bossa Rio Sextet,” and Mendes’s association with Nesuhi Ertegun of Atlantic Records resulted in his debut American album, “The Swinger From Rio.”

Mendes’s relocation to California in 1964 marked the formation of Brasil ’64, which later evolved into the iconic Brasil ’66. This group played a crucial role in popularizing bossa nova globally. The 1966 album “Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66” achieved platinum status and featured the enduring hit “Mas Que Nada,” which was later re-recorded by The Black Eyed Peas in 2006, reintroducing the classic to a new audience.

Throughout his career, Mendes collaborated with numerous renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, who wrote “The Real Thing” for him, and Lani Hall, for whom Mendes produced vocals on the title song for the James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” in the 1980s. His song “Real In Rio,” a collaboration with John Legend for the 2012 animated film “Rio,” earned him an Oscar nomination, showcasing his ability to transcend musical boundaries.

Mendes’s influence extended to mainstream success with hit songs such as “The Look of Love,” “The Fool on the Hill,” “Scarborough Fair,” and “Never Gonna Let You Go.” His album “Brasileiro,” released in 1992, won a Grammy and remains a testament to his musical prowess. Notably, Mendes paid tribute to Jorge Ben Jor, a fellow Brazilian music icon, in his 2020 album “In the Key of Joy.” Mendes’s reinterpretation of Ben Jor’s music further highlighted his deep respect and connection to Brazil’s vibrant musical heritage. The 2020 documentary “Sérgio Mendes: Na Chave da Alegria” provided an in-depth look at his storied career and contributions to music.

Sergio Mendes was also known for his personal life, particularly his long-standing partnership with his wife, Gracinha Leporace, a singer who performed alongside him since the early 1970s. Mendes lived in Los Angeles for nearly six decades, where he continued to make music and inspire new generations of artists.

The cause of Mendes’s death has not been revealed, and details regarding his funeral and burial arrangements have not yet been disclosed. He is survived by his wife and five children. Sergio Mendes’s legacy as one of the most influential Brazilian artists of all time will continue to resonate through his extensive body of work and the countless musicians he inspired.