The Latin music expert Leila Cobo noted in the 2020 HBO documentary Sergio Mendes in the Key of Joy that it was entirely unlike anything else and certainly not anything like rock n roll.

However it indicates Sergio s confidence in recognizing that sound. He refrained from mimicking the events.

After visiting the US for the first time in 1962 to play at a bossa nova show at Carnegie Hall with Antonio Carlos Jobim and other innovators Mendes went back to Brazil but left again in 1964 due to a military coup and his brief arrest.

He performed and traveled throughout the United States with a different group but received lukewarm reception from the audience prompting his bandmates to return to Brazil.

Mendes remained to pursue American success one last time leaving behind his wife of 50 years Gracinha Leporace their two children Tiago and Gustavo as well as three children from his previous marriage Bernardo Rodrigo and Isabella along with seven grandchildren.

An obituary will be released shortly. Sergio Mendes the Brazilian musician known for introducing bossa nova to the world with Brasil 66 passed away in Los Angeles after a career spanning over 60 years.

Bernard Mokam contributed to the reporting. At the age of 83 he passed away in a hospital due to complications from long Covid as announced by his family.

Mendes put out around 35 albums received three Grammys and was up for an Academy Award in 2012 for best original song Real in Rio that he co wrote.