R.I.P. Sérgio Mendes

Once more sad news have reached music lovers world wide.

Brazilian legend and bed rock of modern Samba Sérgio Mendes has passed away at the age of 83.

Already in 1956 he turned away from studying classical piano, after he heard the - then new - modern Jazz of Dave Brubeck.
Already in 1961 he published his first album "Dance Moderno":

During the time of the military dictatorship in Brasil he immigrated to the USA. There he founded, together with the american singers Lani Hall, Karen Philip and others, the famous band Brasil '66. And there he became a huge success with his cover of Jorge Ben's song "Mas Que Nada" - I assume almost everybody has heard that at some point. And if not - now you can:

During his over 60 years as a musician he published 35 albums, numerous soundtracks, and collaborated with all kinds of famous musicians, from Frank Sinatra to the Black Eyed Peas.
Another succesful collaboration was that with Carlinhos Brown, probably Brasil most famous musician today, beginning in the early 90s. One big hit of them is "Magalenha", a track with the more african influenced Bahia style:

And in 2012 the duo even received an Oscar for the soundtrack of the movie "Rio".

I think if a musician can be seen as a ambassador for the music of a country to the whole world, thats more than just being a pop star. And thats what Sérgio Mendes achived. He will not be forgotten.