Musical Roots

Sergio Mendes

One of the top-selling Brazilian artists in North America, Sergio Mendes is also an international music star and one of South America’s most popular celebrities.

He recently released Encanto (Enchantment), his 39th album, the latest in a long list that dates back to 1961 when he released Dance Moderno with the group he formed, Sexteto Bossa Rio. His music was heavily influenced by Antonio Carlos Jobim. He would work with Jobim and fell in love with New York City upon his first visit in 1964. He moved there, signed a deal with A&M Records and in 1966 would release Sergio Mendes & Brazil ’66. The album would go on to sell platinum in the US, largely due to the smash “Mas Que Nada”. Mendes & Brazil ’66 would tour extensively and gain fans around the world.

Although his work with Brazil ’66 was quite successful, Mendes truly garnered mainstream success after his live performance of “The Look Of Love” the Hal David/Burt Bacharach classic at the Academy Awards in 1968. He would soon play an exclusive concert at the White House for Presidents Lyndon B Johnson & Richard Nixon.

During the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s Mendes remained popular in South America and Japan. He would work alongside music great Stevie Wonder and would win a Grammy award in 1992 for his album Brasileiro.

Most recently, Sergio Mendes has been integrating the sounds of Bahian hip-hop into his music. His latest two album feature collaborations with some of today’s best musical talent, John Legend, will.i.am, India.Arie, Justin Timberlake, Natalie Cole and Fergie.

“There’s a sensuality to Brazilian Music, a pure kind of sentiment” says Mendes. “The melodies are catchy, the rhythms are intoxicating, the songwriting is peerless and the harmonies are beautiful. There’s a freshness to that sound that simply refuses to go away”