Sergio Mendes, the brazilian bandleader who helped popularize bossa nova, died today at 83; he never re-captured the popularity he lost when Herb Alpert stole away and married his brilliant lead singer, Lani Hall; listen to the brasil ‘66/‘77 memorial concert

By R.C. and N.S.
fri, sep 6 at 6:30 p.m.

“the grammy-winning jazz and bossa nova musician, who formed the group brasil ‘66 [later re-named, “brasil ‘77], was known for his 1966 hit, “mas que nada.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/09/06/sergio-mendes-dead-at-83/75108585007/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9rgio_Mendes

Jungle rhythm?

Who did the video?

Sergio Mendes & brasil ‘66 - “mas que nada” (1966)



“2,020,129 views dec 24, 2017”
“after bouncing around Philips, atlantic, and capitol playing brazilian jazz or searching for an ideal blend of brazilian and American pop, Sergio Mendes struck gold on his first try at a&m (then not much more than the home of [founder/owner] Herb Alpert & the tijuana brass and the baja marimba band). he came up with a marvelously sleek, sexy formula: dual American female voices singing in English and portuguese over a nifty three-man bossa nova rhythm/vocal section and Mendes’ distinctly jazz-oriented piano, performing tight, infectious arrangements of carefully chosen tunes from brazil, the U.S., and the u.k. the hit was Jorge Ben’s ‘mas que nada,’ given a catchy, tight bossa nova arrangement with the voice of Lani Hall soaring above the swinging rhythm section. but other tracks leap out as well; the obvious rouser is the brazilian go-go treatment of the beatles’ ‘day tripper,’ but the sultry treatment of Henry Mancini’s ‘slow hot wind’ and the rapid-fire ‘tim dom dom’ also deserve mention.”

Sergio Mendes & brasil ‘66: the beatles’ “the fool on the hill”



“the look of love”



Henry Mancini’s “slow hot wind”
3,523 views nov 24, 2021

“‘lujon’ (also known as ‘slow hot wind’) is a musical piece by Henry Mancini. its name comes from the lujon percussion instrument heard on the recording. it appeared on his 1961 album mr. lucky goes latin, but was an original piece of music that had nothing to do with the Mr. Lucky television program. it was included in the soundtracks for the films the big lebowski, sexy beast, w.e. and two lovers. Mancini would later record a jazz/swing version of ‘slow hot wind’ and include it on his 1975 album symphonic soul. the song would eventually reach the #38 spot on the adult contemporary list in 1976.

“Sergio Santos Mendes (brazilian portuguese: [ˈsɛʁʒju ˈsɐ̃tuz ˈmẽdʒis]; born february 11, 1941) is a brazilian musician. he has over 55 releases, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk.

“he was nominated for an oscar for best original song in 2012 as co-writer of the song ‘real in rio’ from the animated film rio.

Mendes is a unique example of a brazilian musician primarily known in the United States, where his albums were recorded and where most of his touring took place.

the first album on a&m was Herb Alpert presents Sergio Mendes & 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. the original lineup of Brasil ‘66 was Mendes (piano), vocalists Lani Hall (later Alpert’s wife) and Sylvia Dulce Kleiner (Bibi Vogel) (1942 - 2004), Bob Matthews (bass), Jose Soares (percussion) and Joao Palma (1943 - 2016) (drums). John Pisano (1931 - ) played guitar. this new line-up then recorded two more albums between 1966 and 1968 (including the best-selling look around lp), before there was a major personnel change for their fourth album fool on the hill.

Mendes is married to Gracinha Leporace, who has performed with him since the early 1970s [since Herb Alpert stole away Lani Hall!]. Mendes has also collaborated with many artists through the years, including the black eyed peas, with whom he re-recorded in 2006 a version of his breakthrough hit ‘mas que nada.’



Sergio Mendes & brasil ‘66 - “watch what happens”