Sergio Mendes, the Brazilian Grammy-winning musician whose hit “Mas Que Nada” made him a global legend, died after months of battling the effects of long COVID, his publicist Karen Vock confirmed to CBS News on Friday. He was 83.
The Brazilian pianist, songwriter and arranger died on Thursday in Los Angeles, his family said in a statement.
“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children,” the statement Friday said. “Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold out and wildly enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona.”
His composition “Mas Que Nada” was one of the songs that helped popularize the Brazilian music genre bossa nova worldwide in the 1960s.
In 2006, a modern version of the song topped U.S. charts, as performed by Black Eyed Peas. It was included in his album “Timeless,” produced by will.i.am and featuring Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas, among others.