Sergio Mendes and Quincy Jones (Photo courtesy of PBS)
Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration saluting the pioneering Brazilian musical producer, composer, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter, will make its world premiere as part of special programming on PBS stations in June 2021 (check local listings). The program, presented by WNED PBS, was created especially for PBS and is derived from the forthcoming feature documentary Sergio Mendes: In the Key of Joy by acclaimed filmmaker John Scheinfeld. Watch the official promotional clip below.
Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 (Photo courtesy of PBS)
Mendes exploded on the scene in the 1960s with his group, Brasil ’66, and played a huge role in popularizing Brazilian music around the world, and at the same time created his own genre by fusing Brazilian music with American pop. He continued to remain current and relevant while staying true to his unique sound.
One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists of all time, Mendes is a three-time Grammy® Award winner with some 35 albums, including many gold or platinum. His hit singles include his signature song, “Mas Que Nada,” as well as his popular covers of “The Look of Love” (a #4 pop hit in 1968), “Scarborough Fair,” “Night and Day,” “Never Gonna Let You Go” and his rendition of “Fool on the Hill” (#6 in 1968). In 2012, his “Real in Rio” from the animated film Rio was nominated for an Academy Award® as Best Original Song.
Sergio Mendes and Herb Alpert in 1967 (Photo courtesy of PBS)
Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration features Mendes telling much of his story in his own words. He is joined onscreen by such friends and collaborators as Herb Alpert, Lani Hall (lead singer of Brasil ’66), Quincy Jones, John Legend, Gracinha Mendes (Sergio’s lead singer since 1971 and his wife of 46 years), label exec Jerry Moss, Carlos Saldhana (Oscar®-nominated filmmaker of Rio), Common, and singer/songwriter/producer will.i.am.
Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66, the debut album for the acclaimed combo, released on Alpert and Moss’s A&M label, reached #7 on the Billboard Albums Chart, thanks to the success of “Mas Que Nada.”
“I am really looking forward to sharing my life and musical journey through the decades from Brasil ’66 through present day with PBS viewers across the nation,” says Mendes. “I hope viewers will have a joyful and uplifting experience.”
Watch the promotional clip for Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration
“Sergio’s warmth, humor and appreciation of life through all the senses made me feel a strong connection with him and I want others to feel the same way,” says director Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs John Lennon, Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary, and The Happy Days of Garry Marshall). “His life is an exceptional blend of encounters, spontaneity and serendipity and makes him an irresistible subject for a film.”
Mendes, born Feb. 11, 1941, will return to the stage on Aug. 15 at the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets are available here.
Related: Mendes – and Alpert – are featured in our story, 10 Jazz Singles That Became Hits
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