Sergio Mendes
Encyclopedia
Sérgio Santos Mendes (ˈsɛχʒiu ˈsɐ̃tus ˈmẽdʒiʃ; born February 11, 1941 in Niterói
, Brazil
) is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova
heavily crossed with jazz
and funk
.
Mendes is married to Gracinha Leporace
who regularly performs vocals for her husband and can also be heard on his 2006 version of the Jorge Ben Jor
song "Mas Que Nada
" with The Black Eyed Peas
.
in Niterói
, Brazil
, Mendes attended the local conservatory with hopes of becoming a classical pianist. As his interest in jazz
grew, he started playing in nightclubs in the late-1950s just as bossa nova
, a jazz-inflected derivative of samba
, was emerging. Mendes played with Antonio Carlos Jobim
(regarded as a mentor) and many U.S. jazz musicians who toured Brazil.
Mendes formed the Sexteto Bossa Rio and recorded Dance Moderno
in 1961. Touring Europe
and the United States
, Mendes recorded albums with Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann and played Carnegie Hall
. Mendes moved to the U.S. in 1964 and cut two albums under the Sergio Mendes & Brasil '65 group name with Capitol Records
and Atlantic Records
.
Sergio became full partners with Richard Adler, a Brooklyn-born American who had previously brought Bossa Trés plus two dancers, Joe Bennett and a Brasilian partner, to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, in 1963. He was also accompanied by Antonio Carlos Jobim
; Flavio Ramos, and Aloisio Olivera, a Record and TV producer from Rio. The Musicians Union, only allowed this group to appear on one TV show; one club appearance (Basin Street East) before ordering them to leave the U.S. When the new Group, Brasil '65 was formed, Shelly Mann, Bud Shank and other West Coast musicians, got Sergio and the others into the local Musicians Union. Adler and Mendes formed Brasil '65 which consisted of Jorge Ben, Wanda Sá
, and Rosinha de Valença, as well as the Sergio Mendes TRIO. Various changes were made, Albums recorded at Atlantic Records, and Capitol, before Adler and Mendes agreed to record songs in English, by famous American and British composers, and added two girls up front to make the group visually appealing, and to create a unique sound. Adler called a friend, Jerry Dennon In Seattle, who called Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss to arrange an audition for A&M Records at their studio in the Hurok Building in Hollywood. They were signed to a contract and recorded Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, and changed the name to be like Herb's group, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass. In 1969 Adler and Mendes separated, over specific 'Creative problems' between them, with Adler then selling his 50% interest in Brasil '66, all publishing, etc. Adler had introduced Mendes to Tito Puente, whom Adler had worked with for 3 years, to co-write a song, or for Sergio to record one of Puente's songs. Sergio refused, Santana recorded 'Oye Como Va' and the Santana & Puente relationship began.
(who learned Mendes' Portuguese material phonetically), switched to Herb Alpert
's A&M
label, and released Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66
, an album that went platinum based largely on the success of the single "Mas Que Nada
" (a Jorge Ben cover) and the personal support of Alpert, with whom Mendes toured regularly.
The original lineup of Brasil '66 was Mendes (piano), vocalists Lani Hall
and Janis Hansen (singer)
, Bob Matthews (bass), José Soares (percussion) and João Palma (drums). John Pisano
guested as guitarist. This line-up recorded three albums between 1966-1968 (including the best-selling Look Around
LP), before there was a major personnel change for their fourth album Fool on the Hill.
Karen Philipp
replaced Hansen as the second female vocalist, while veteran drummer Dom Um Romão
teamed with Rubens Bassini
to assume percussionist duties.Claudio Slon was to join the group as drummer in 1969, and played with Mendes for nearly a decade. Sebastiao Neto was the new bassist and Oscar Castro-Neves
the guitarist. This line up had a more orchestrated and big band sound than their predecessors. Most significantly, in the early 1970s, lead singer Hall pursued a solo career and became Alpert's second wife. Some accounts claim that Mendes was upset with Alpert for years for "stealing" Hall away from his group.
Though his early singles with Brasil '66 (most notably "Mas Que Nada
") met with some success, Mendes really burst into mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach
and Hal David
song "The Look of Love
" on the Academy Awards telecast in April 1968. Brasil '66's version of the song quickly shot into the top 10, peaking at #4 and eclipsing Dusty Springfield
's version from the soundtrack of the movie, Casino Royale
. Mendes spent the rest of 1968 enjoying consecutive top 10 and top 20 hits with his follow-up singles, "The Fool on the Hill
" and "Scarborough Fair
." From 1968 on, Mendes was arguably the biggest Brazilian star in the world, enjoying immense popularity worldwide and performing in venues as varied as stadium arenas and the White House
, where he gave concerts for both Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson
and Richard Nixon
.
The Brasil '66 group appeared at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan in June 1970.
from 1975 on, found Mendes continuing to mine the best in American pop music and post-Bossa writers of his native Brazil, while forging new directions in soul with collaborators like Stevie Wonder
, who wrote Mendes' R&B-inflected minor hit, "The Real Thing."
In 1983, he rejoined Alpert's A&M records and enjoyed huge success with a self-titled album and several follow-up albums, all of which received considerable adult contemporary airplay with charting singles. "Never Gonna Let You Go
", featuring vocals by Joe Pizzulo
and Leza Miller, equalled the success of his 1968 single "The Look of Love" by reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also spent four weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart
. In 1984 he recorded the "Confetti" album, which had the hit songs "Olympia", which was also used as a theme song for the Olympic games that year and "Alibis". The '80s also found Mendes working with singer Lani Hall again on the song "No Place to Hide" from the Brasil '86 album, and as producer for her vocals on the title song for the James Bond
film Never Say Never Again
.
By the time Mendes released his Grammy-winning Elektra album Brasileiro
in 1992, he was the undisputed master of pop-inflected Brazilian jazz. The late-1990s lounge music
revival brought retrospection and respect to Mendes' oeuvre, particularly the classic Brasil '66 albums.
features a wide array of neo-soul and alternative hip hop
guest artists, most prominently will.i.am
and The Black Eyed Peas
. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records
.
It features The Black Eyed Peas
, Erykah Badu
, Black Thought
, Jill Scott
, Chali 2na
of Jurassic 5
, India.Arie
, John Legend
, Justin Timberlake
, Q-Tip
, Stevie Wonder
and Pharoahe Monch
.
The 2006, re-recorded version of "Mas que Nada" with The Black Eyed Peas had additional vocals by Gracinha Leporace (Mendes' wife); a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is pretty well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas.
The Black Eyed Peas' version also contains a sample of their 2004 hit "Hey Mama". The re-recorded song became popular on many European charts. On the UK Singles Chart, the song entered at #29 and rose to and peaked at #6 on its second week on the chart.
Niterói
Niterói is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast region of Brazil. It has an estimated population of 487,327 inhabitants and an area of ², being the sixth most populous city in the state and the highest Human Development Index. Integrates the Metropolitan Region of Rio de...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
) is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
heavily crossed with jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
.
Mendes is married to Gracinha Leporace
Gracinha Leporace
Gracinha Leporace is a female Brazilian singer known most notably for her work with her husband Sérgio Mendes and his band. She has featured regularly in much of the group's releases over the last four decades and, most recently, can be heard as the Portuguese-singing female vocal in the hit Mas...
who regularly performs vocals for her husband and can also be heard on his 2006 version of the Jorge Ben Jor
Jorge Ben Jor
Jorge Ben Jor is a Brazilian popular musician. His characteristic style fuses samba, funk, and rock into samba-rock, with lyrics that blend humor and satire with often esoteric subject matter.-Early life and career:...
song "Mas Que Nada
Mas Que Nada
-Song information:In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas....
" with The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
.
Early career
The child of a physicianPhysician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
in Niterói
Niterói
Niterói is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeast region of Brazil. It has an estimated population of 487,327 inhabitants and an area of ², being the sixth most populous city in the state and the highest Human Development Index. Integrates the Metropolitan Region of Rio de...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Mendes attended the local conservatory with hopes of becoming a classical pianist. As his interest in jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
grew, he started playing in nightclubs in the late-1950s just as bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
, a jazz-inflected derivative of samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
, was emerging. Mendes played with Antonio Carlos Jobim
Antônio Carlos Jobim
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim , also known as Tom Jobim , was a Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, and pianist/guitarist. He was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style, and his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists within...
(regarded as a mentor) and many U.S. jazz musicians who toured Brazil.
Mendes formed the Sexteto Bossa Rio and recorded Dance Moderno
Dance Moderno
-Track listing:# Oba-lá-lá # Love For Sale # Tristeza de nós Dois # What Is This Thing Called Love? # Olhou pra mim # Satin Doll...
in 1961. Touring Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Mendes recorded albums with Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann and played Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. Mendes moved to the U.S. in 1964 and cut two albums under the Sergio Mendes & Brasil '65 group name with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
and Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Sergio became full partners with Richard Adler, a Brooklyn-born American who had previously brought Bossa Trés plus two dancers, Joe Bennett and a Brasilian partner, to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, in 1963. He was also accompanied by Antonio Carlos Jobim
Antônio Carlos Jobim
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim , also known as Tom Jobim , was a Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, and pianist/guitarist. He was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style, and his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists within...
; Flavio Ramos, and Aloisio Olivera, a Record and TV producer from Rio. The Musicians Union, only allowed this group to appear on one TV show; one club appearance (Basin Street East) before ordering them to leave the U.S. When the new Group, Brasil '65 was formed, Shelly Mann, Bud Shank and other West Coast musicians, got Sergio and the others into the local Musicians Union. Adler and Mendes formed Brasil '65 which consisted of Jorge Ben, Wanda Sá
Wanda Sá
Wanda Sá is a Brazilian bossa nova singer and guitarist, active from 1964 to the present day.Her first guitar teacher, when she was 13, was Roberto Menescal. Later, she worked with Sérgio Mendes in his group Brasil '65, and also with Marcos Valle and Kátya Chamma...
, and Rosinha de Valença, as well as the Sergio Mendes TRIO. Various changes were made, Albums recorded at Atlantic Records, and Capitol, before Adler and Mendes agreed to record songs in English, by famous American and British composers, and added two girls up front to make the group visually appealing, and to create a unique sound. Adler called a friend, Jerry Dennon In Seattle, who called Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss to arrange an audition for A&M Records at their studio in the Hurok Building in Hollywood. They were signed to a contract and recorded Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, and changed the name to be like Herb's group, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass. In 1969 Adler and Mendes separated, over specific 'Creative problems' between them, with Adler then selling his 50% interest in Brasil '66, all publishing, etc. Adler had introduced Mendes to Tito Puente, whom Adler had worked with for 3 years, to co-write a song, or for Sergio to record one of Puente's songs. Sergio refused, Santana recorded 'Oye Como Va' and the Santana & Puente relationship began.
Brasil '66
When sales were tepid, he replaced his Brazilian born vocalist Wanda de Sá with the distinctive voice of Chicago native Lani HallLani Hall
Lani Hall is an American singer and the wife of Herb Alpert.-Music career:Her first public appearances occurred in Old Town Chicago in early 1966. At one of those performances, she was heard by Brazilian Bossa Nova pianist/bandleader Sérgio Mendes, who happened to be on tour in Chicago...
(who learned Mendes' Portuguese material phonetically), switched to Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
's A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
label, and released Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66
Herb Alpert Presents (Sergio Mendes album)
Herb Alpert Presents is the first album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66.-Track listing:#Mas Que Nada #One Note Samba #The Joker...
, an album that went platinum based largely on the success of the single "Mas Que Nada
Mas Que Nada
-Song information:In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas....
" (a Jorge Ben cover) and the personal support of Alpert, with whom Mendes toured regularly.
The original lineup of Brasil '66 was Mendes (piano), vocalists Lani Hall
Lani Hall
Lani Hall is an American singer and the wife of Herb Alpert.-Music career:Her first public appearances occurred in Old Town Chicago in early 1966. At one of those performances, she was heard by Brazilian Bossa Nova pianist/bandleader Sérgio Mendes, who happened to be on tour in Chicago...
and Janis Hansen (singer)
Janis Hansen (singer)
Janis S. Hansen is an American singer, producer and writer.-Early career:Hansen joined Lani Hall as one of the singers in the group Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66...
, Bob Matthews (bass), José Soares (percussion) and João Palma (drums). John Pisano
John Pisano
John Pisano is a jazz guitarist born in Staten Island, New York.John has accompanied in concert or recording some of music's biggest names, including Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, Herb Alpert, Natalie Cole, Michael Franks, Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Joe Pass, Frank Sinatra, Barbra...
guested as guitarist. This line-up recorded three albums between 1966-1968 (including the best-selling Look Around
Look Around (Sergio Mendes album)
Look Around is the third album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66, with vocalists Lani Hall and Janis Hansen. It was released in 1968. Mendes burst into mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "The Look of Love" on the Academy Awards telecast in March...
LP), before there was a major personnel change for their fourth album Fool on the Hill.
Karen Philipp
Karen Philipp
Karen Philipp is an American singer and actress. She first came to national prominence in 1968 when she was hired as one of the two female vocalists in the second iteration of Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66, debuting on their Top Ten best-selling album, "Fool on the Hill." She remained with Brasil '66 ...
replaced Hansen as the second female vocalist, while veteran drummer Dom Um Romão
Dom Um Romão
Dom Um Romão was a Brazilian jazz drummer and percussionist. Noted for his expressive stylings with the fusion band Weather Report, Romão recorded with varied artists such as Cannonball Adderley, Paul Simon, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 and Tony Bennett...
teamed with Rubens Bassini
Rubens Bassini
Rubens Bassini was a percussionist who played bongos and congas above all. He played together with the band Os Ipanemas: Astor Silva Marinho Wilson das Neves and Neco ....
to assume percussionist duties.Claudio Slon was to join the group as drummer in 1969, and played with Mendes for nearly a decade. Sebastiao Neto was the new bassist and Oscar Castro-Neves
Oscar Castro-Neves
Oscar Castro-Neves is a Brazilian guitarist, arranger, and composer who is considered a founding figure in Bossa nova. He was born as one of triplets and formed a band with his brothers in his youth. At 16 he had a national hit with Chora Tua Tristeza. Many of the early Bossa Nova musicians began...
the guitarist. This line up had a more orchestrated and big band sound than their predecessors. Most significantly, in the early 1970s, lead singer Hall pursued a solo career and became Alpert's second wife. Some accounts claim that Mendes was upset with Alpert for years for "stealing" Hall away from his group.
Though his early singles with Brasil '66 (most notably "Mas Que Nada
Mas Que Nada
-Song information:In 2006, Mendes re-recorded the song with The Black Eyed Peas and additional vocals by Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace; a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas....
") met with some success, Mendes really burst into mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
and Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
song "The Look of Love
The Look of Love (1967 song)
"The Look of Love" is a popular song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by Dusty Springfield, which appeared in the 1967 spoof James Bond film Casino Royale.-Songwriters:...
" on the Academy Awards telecast in April 1968. Brasil '66's version of the song quickly shot into the top 10, peaking at #4 and eclipsing Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
's version from the soundtrack of the movie, Casino Royale
Casino Royale (1967 film)
Casino Royale is a 1967 comedy spy film originally produced by Columbia Pictures starring an ensemble cast of directors and actors. It is set as a satire of the James Bond film series and the spy genre, and is loosely based on Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel.The film stars David Niven as the...
. Mendes spent the rest of 1968 enjoying consecutive top 10 and top 20 hits with his follow-up singles, "The Fool on the Hill
The Fool on the Hill
"The Fool on the Hill" is a song by The Beatles. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and recorded in 1967...
" and "Scarborough Fair
Scarborough Fair
"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional ballad of the United Kingdom.The song tells the tale of a young man, who tells the listener to ask his former lover to perform for him a series of impossible tasks, such as making him a shirt without a seam and then washing it in a dry well, adding that if she...
." From 1968 on, Mendes was arguably the biggest Brazilian star in the world, enjoying immense popularity worldwide and performing in venues as varied as stadium arenas and the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, where he gave concerts for both Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
and Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
The Brasil '66 group appeared at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan in June 1970.
Middle career
Mendes' career in the U.S. stalled in the mid-1970s, but he remained very popular in South America and Japan. His two albums with Bell Records in 1973 and 1974 followed by several for ElektraElektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
from 1975 on, found Mendes continuing to mine the best in American pop music and post-Bossa writers of his native Brazil, while forging new directions in soul with collaborators like Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, who wrote Mendes' R&B-inflected minor hit, "The Real Thing."
In 1983, he rejoined Alpert's A&M records and enjoyed huge success with a self-titled album and several follow-up albums, all of which received considerable adult contemporary airplay with charting singles. "Never Gonna Let You Go
Never Gonna Let You Go (Sérgio Mendes song)
"Never Gonna Let You Go" is a popular song from 1983 credited to Brazilian musician and bandleader Sérgio Mendes and sung by Joe Pizzulo and Leza Miller...
", featuring vocals by Joe Pizzulo
Joe Pizzulo
Joe Pizzulo is best known as one of the lead singers for Sérgio Mendes in the 1980s. He had hit singles with "Never Gonna Let You Go" and "Alibis"...
and Leza Miller, equalled the success of his 1968 single "The Look of Love" by reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also spent four weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
. In 1984 he recorded the "Confetti" album, which had the hit songs "Olympia", which was also used as a theme song for the Olympic games that year and "Alibis". The '80s also found Mendes working with singer Lani Hall again on the song "No Place to Hide" from the Brasil '86 album, and as producer for her vocals on the title song for the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film Never Say Never Again
Never Say Never Again
Never Say Never Again is a 1983 spy film based on the James Bond novel Thunderball, which was previously filmed in 1965 as Thunderball...
.
By the time Mendes released his Grammy-winning Elektra album Brasileiro
Brasileiro
Brasileiro is a 1992 CD by Sérgio Mendes which won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.-Track listing:# "Fanfarra" – 4:03# "Magalenha" – 3:39# "Indiado" – 4:17...
in 1992, he was the undisputed master of pop-inflected Brazilian jazz. The late-1990s lounge music
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
revival brought retrospection and respect to Mendes' oeuvre, particularly the classic Brasil '66 albums.
Later career
TimelessTimeless (Sergio Mendes album)
Timeless is a 2006 album by Sérgio Mendes. It features neo soul and alternative hip hop guest artists, most prominently will.i.am, who also produced most of the songs. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records and will.i.am music group...
features a wide array of neo-soul and alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
guest artists, most prominently will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
and The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records
Concord Records
Concord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
.
It features The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
, Black Thought
Black Thought
Tariq Trotter , better known as Black Thought, is an American hip-hop artist who is the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots and occasional actor...
, Jill Scott
Jill Scott
Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That year, her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on...
, Chali 2na
Chali 2na
Charles Stewart , better known as Chali 2na is an American rapper and hip hop artist, formerly associated with the groups Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli.-Early life:...
of Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
, India.Arie
India.Arie
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.
The 2006, re-recorded version of "Mas que Nada" with The Black Eyed Peas had additional vocals by Gracinha Leporace (Mendes' wife); a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is pretty well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas.
The Black Eyed Peas' version also contains a sample of their 2004 hit "Hey Mama". The re-recorded song became popular on many European charts. On the UK Singles Chart, the song entered at #29 and rose to and peaked at #6 on its second week on the chart.
Legacy and influences
- Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz pianistJazz pianoJazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz. The piano has been an integral part of the jazz idiom since its inception, in both solo and ensemble settings. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instrument's combined melodic and harmonic capabilities...
Bill CunliffeBill CunliffeBill Cunliffe is an American jazz pianist and composer based in Los Angeles He has been described by The New York Times as being in the "modern jazz mainstream" and as an "accomplished pianist and composer." Ernie Rideout of Keyboard Magazine described Cunliffe's playing as "inventive, melodic,...
said Sergio Mendes's music, which he described as "jazz oriented", was an important influence in his playing style.
Discography
- 1960: Dance ModernoDance Moderno-Track listing:# Oba-lá-lá # Love For Sale # Tristeza de nós Dois # What Is This Thing Called Love? # Olhou pra mim # Satin Doll...
- 1963: Você Ainda Não Ouviu Nada! ("You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet!") (Sergio Mendes & Bossa Rio) (later released as The Beat of Brazil)
- 1964: Bossa Nova York (Sergio Mendes Trio) (later released as The Swinger from Rio)
- 1965: Brasil '65 (Sergio Mendes Trio feat. Wanda SáWanda SáWanda Sá is a Brazilian bossa nova singer and guitarist, active from 1964 to the present day.Her first guitar teacher, when she was 13, was Roberto Menescal. Later, she worked with Sérgio Mendes in his group Brasil '65, and also with Marcos Valle and Kátya Chamma...
) - 1966: Herb Alpert Presents: Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66Herb Alpert Presents (Sergio Mendes album)Herb Alpert Presents is the first album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66.-Track listing:#Mas Que Nada #One Note Samba #The Joker...
- 1966: In Person at El MatadorIn Person at El MatadorIn Person at El Matador is a 1965 live-album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '65. It was recorded at El Matador in San Francisco, California-Track listing:# Reza # O Morro...
(Sergio Mendes and Brasil '65) - 1966: The Great ArrivalThe Great Arrival (Sergio Mendes album)-Track listing:#The Great Arrival 2:19#Monday, Monday 2:32#Carnaval 2:40#Canção do Amanhecer 2:48...
- 1967: Quiet Nights
- 1967: EquinoxEquinox (Sergio Mendes album)Equinox is the second album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66, with vocalists Lani Hall and Janis Hansen.-Track listing:#Constant Rain #Cinnamon and Clove...
- 1968: Look AroundLook Around (Sergio Mendes album)Look Around is the third album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66, with vocalists Lani Hall and Janis Hansen. It was released in 1968. Mendes burst into mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "The Look of Love" on the Academy Awards telecast in March...
- 1968: Sergio Mendes' Favorite ThingsSergio Mendes' Favorite Things-Track listing:#My Favorite Things #Tempo Feliz #Ponteio #Veleiro #A Banda...
- 1968: Fool on the HillFool on the Hill (Sergio Mendes album)Fool on the Hill is the fourth album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66.The band on this album is the second version of Brasil '66. Mendes replaced all of the original band members for this album...
- 1969: Crystal IllusionsCrystal Illusions (Sergio Mendes album)Crystal Illusions is the fifth album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66.-Track listing:-Performance Credits:*Sérgio Mendes - Keyboards, Vocals, Arranger, Producer*Lani Hall - Vocals*Karen Philipp - Vocals*Oscar Castro-Neves - Guitar...
- 1969: Ye-Me-LêYe-Me-Lê (Sergio Mendes album)Ye-Me-Lê is the sixth album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66.-Track listing:#Wichita Lineman #Norwegian Wood #Some Time Ago #Moanin'...
- 1970: Live at the Expo
- 1970: StillnessStillness (Sergio Mendes album)Stillness is the final album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66. Following this album, Mendes renamed his group Brasil '77.-Track listing:#Stillness #Righteous Life #Chelsea Morning...
- 1971: País Tropical
- 1972: Primal Roots (released in Brazil as Raízes)
- 1973: In ConcertIn concert (Sergio Mendes & Brasil '77)In Concert is an album by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '77 performed live at the Greek Theatre in 1973. It was distributed by A&M Records on vinyl LP in the UK, also on audio cassette, reference number TC-MFP 30434...
- 1973: Love Music
- 1974: I BelieveI Believe (Sergio Mendes album)I Believe is an album by Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '77.In the US, this was released as a self-titled album with the tracks in a different order.-Track listing:#If I Ever Lose This Heaven...
(released in the United States as Sergio Mendes) - 1974: Vintage 74
- 1976: Homecooking
- 1977: Sergio Mendes and the New Brasil '77
- 1978: Pelé
- 1978: Brasil '88Brasil '88Brasil '88 is the fourth studio album of thirty-five by the Brazilian musician, Sérgio Mendes. It was released in 1978.-Track listing:...
- 1979: Magic Lady
- 1979: Horizonte Aberto
- 1980: Alegria
- 1983: Sérgio Mendes
- 1984: Confetti
- 1986: Brasil '86
- 1989: Arara
- 1992: BrasileiroBrasileiroBrasileiro is a 1992 CD by Sérgio Mendes which won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.-Track listing:# "Fanfarra" – 4:03# "Magalenha" – 3:39# "Indiado" – 4:17...
- 1996: Oceano
- 2006: TimelessTimeless (Sergio Mendes album)Timeless is a 2006 album by Sérgio Mendes. It features neo soul and alternative hip hop guest artists, most prominently will.i.am, who also produced most of the songs. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records and will.i.am music group...
- 2008: EncantoEncanto (Sergio Mendes album)Encanto is an album from Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes. It is his thirty-sixth studio album to date. It is also his second work with collaboration from personnel of The Black Eyed Peas.-Track list:-Release history:-Charts:-External links:*...
- 2010: Bom Tempo
External links
- Official website
- Sergio Mendes interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' July 2008
- "Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66/'77/etc. The Sérgio Mendes Discography." brasil66.com, 2006.
- "Sérgio Mendes." The Brazilian Sound: Brazil's Music & Culture, 13 July 2008.
- July 2009 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...