Mendes is married to the singer Gracinha Leporace who regularly performs vocals alongside Mendes and can be heard on his 2006 version of the song Mas Que Nada with the Black Eyed Peas.
Early career
The child of a physician 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 taking off. Mendes played with Antônio Carlos Jobim (whom he 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 Brasil '65 group name with Capitol Records and Atlantic Records.
Brasil '66
When sales were tepid, he replaced his Brazilian born vocalist Wanda de Sa with the distinctive voice of Chicago native Lani Hall (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, Bob Matthews (bass), Jose Soares (percussion), and Joao Palma (drums). John Pisano guested as guitarist. This lineup 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. Sebastiao Neto was the new bassist and Oscar Castro-Neves the guitarist. This lineup had a more orchestral 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.
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 Elektra 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, Mendes worked with singer Lani Hall 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. His stature in his native Brazil is reflected by "Cantor de Mambo", a song by fellow Brazilians Os Mutantes, which they regularly dedicate to Mendes in concert.
Later career
Timeless 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.
The album features the Black Eyed Peas, Erykah Badu, Black Thought, 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.
Official website of Sérgio Mendes: http://www.sergiomendesmusic.com
The Christmas Song
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
The lyrics to Sergio Mendes's "The Christmas Song" are a classic representation of the imagery and joy that the holiday season brings. The opening line of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" paints a warm picture of a cozy gathering with friends and family. The use of sensory language, such as "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" and "Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir," heightens the feeling of being present in the moment.
The song continues to describe the various traditions associated with Christmas, such as turkeys, mistletoe, and caroling. The line "Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow" captures the excitement and wonder of children during the holiday season. The anticipation of seeing Santa Claus and the possibility of reindeer flying through the night sky adds to the magic of the season.
The song concludes with the simple yet powerful phrase, "Merry Christmas to you!" It is a reminder of the spirit of generosity and love that is at the heart of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The pleasant smell of chestnuts cooking over an open flame is wafting through the room.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The sharp, cold air outside is causing a tingling sensation in your nose.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
A group of singers is performing traditional Christmas songs in a harmonious and joyful manner.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
People are bundled up in thick, warm clothing to protect themselves from the cold winter weather.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
A roasted turkey and some festive decoration like mistletoe are commonly associated with the holiday season.
Help to make the season bright
These traditional symbols bring joy and happiness to people during this time of year.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Excited young children are wide-eyed and eager for the arrival of Santa Claus.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The anticipation of Christmas morning will make it difficult for young children to fall asleep.
They know that Santa's on his way
Children believe that Santa Claus is making his annual trip to deliver presents to all the good girls and boys.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa has collected an abundance of toys and treats to share with children all around the world.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
Excited children, including every mother's child, will try to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus or his reindeer.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
Children are curious if the legendary flying reindeer are real or just a story.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
As a gesture of goodwill, I am sharing this basic statement.
To kids from one to ninety-two
This simple phrase is intended for people of all ages, both young and old.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
This message of Merry Christmas has been expressed countless times, in various forms and styles.
Merry Christmas to you!
I extend my sincere wishes for a happy and joyful Christmas to you and yours.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LAVELL CRUMP, MARCUS WILLIAMS, S. KEETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pauls6897
The first time I heard this was on KMOX-FM in 1981, and recorded it off the radio. A few years later, I found "Something Festive" at a thrift store.
@DonTornado
I just bought a copy of this record from a rummage sale for 50 cents! I was so excited to see Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66! I didn’t even notice that it said limited edition one it!
@daviddisandro821
love that album. dad bought that for mom to play on her new magnavox console
@slapmyfunkybass
Thanks for the upload. Never knew about this.
@dougemail1
I'm a kid at Christmas all over again!
@goodwellinc
Well, after listening to this song about six times, I think I really like it just the way it is. I thoroughly enjoy it. Happy Holidays.
@yorgovoyagis8758
Perfect
@fd4576
Nothing, but nothing can ever match this phenomenal sound of whirling orchestrations wrapped around gorgeous latin musicianship ! That which became a hallmark of Sergio and his troup. Hearing this , they "so" should have had their own Christmas album. Such a missed opportunity. Love it !!!!
@carlosydelrosario532
The superb orchestrations by the late Dick Hazard. Simply out of this world.
@fd4576
@@carlosydelrosario532 Yes , and what a shame that so little if any of today's music can even come close to this elegance. The 60's was the best period for the arts . With all of it's turmoil , it still can't be matched for it's excellence !