Sergio Mendes

One common thread weaves throughout the staggeringly diverse tapestry of music that Sergio Mendes has created over his remarkable six-decade career: the spirit of joy. One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists of all time, Mendes has recorded more than 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum. He's a three-time Grammy® Award winner, Oscar®-nominated songwriter and the subject of a joyful 2020 feature documentary.

From his pioneering contributions to the foundations of bossa nova alongside the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim, through the era-defining Latin-pop sound of his iconic group Brasil '66; his scintillating collaborations with jazz legends like Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann to his chart-topping adult contemporary smash "Never Gonna Let You Go;" on through his 21st-century reinvention with the Black-Eyed Peas and John Legend or his Oscar®-nominated theme song from the animated hit Rio: an infectious spirit of joy pervades everything Mendes has ushered into the ears of listeners.

The Brazilian legend's 2020 album is no exception. On In the Key of Joy, Mendes looks back the only way he knows how — by once again moving forward. In the Key of Joy melds the classic Brazilian, jazz and pop sounds that have long characterized Mendes' music with stunningly contemporary inspirations that make the album sound at once utterly timeless and wholly of the moment.

The album was released to coincide with and, indeed, given the same title as, a spectacular new documentary on his life by acclaimed filmmaker John Scheinfeld (Chasing Trane, Who Is Harry Nilsson?). The documentary, Sergio Mendes: In The Key of Joy features music industry collaborators Herb Alpert, Lani Hall, Quincy Jones, John Legend, Common and will.i.am, as well as luminaries including Pele, Harrison Ford and Carlos Saldanha sharing their insights into Mendes' life's journey. The film enjoyed worldwide release in 2021 after its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January 2020. It is currently streaming on Peacock, AppleTV, YouTube and GooglePlay. View film trailer

Here in the U.S., the documentary was initially excerpted by PBS and retitled SERGIO MENDES & FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION, for nationwide broadcast in June 2021. In conjunction with that release, Sergio spoke with major media outlets including:

Associated Press Video: "Music icon Sergio Mendes on serendipity, 60 years of global success"

Associated Press (Spanish) "Sergio Mendes: suerte, pasión y serendipia en larga carrera"

LA Weekly Interview "New PBS Special Looks Back on Career of Brazilian Legend Sergio Mendes (Q&A)

SPIN Interview "The Sound of Joy"

The Los Angeles Times' Sunday Magazine feature, entitled "If You Take All The World's Emotions and Put Them Into One Sound, it's Sergio Mendes" appeared the same August 2021 weekend Sergio returned to his first live show after more than a year of dark concert stages due to the COVID pandemic.

An active, enthusiastic and in-demand live performer, Mendes and his band, featuring wife Gracinha Leporace as lead vocalist, returned to the concert stage in a big way on August 15 2021 at The Hollywood Bowl. Sergio spoke with KPCC's Larry Mantle about his music and the upcoming show.

The following month, Mendes joined the San Diego Symphony on September 14, 2021 for their inaugural season under the stars at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, a stunning new venue by the bay.

Seattle, Phoenix, Washington, DC, Boston and Philadelphia audiences saw Sergio and his band in the first quarter of 2022.
Arizona Central Feature January 28, 2022
Washington Post "Concerts to Catch" April 6, 2022

The Sonoma International Film Festival hosted a special screening of SERGIO MENDES: IN THE KEY OF JOY on July 7, with Sergio and filmmaker John Scheinfeld as social guests. Two performances at Blue Note Napa at Charles Krug Winery followed on July 8.

Sergio's September 2022 return to the Music Center at Strathmore in the DC area was covered by Broadway World in this glowing review.