Born in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Mendes suffered a crippling bout with scoliosis that forced him to wear a body cast during much of his childhood, his primary consolation was music. He was professionally trained as a classical pianist at a local conservatory and formed his first jazz combos while still a teenager. He made his first record in 1961, Dance Moderno, traveled to New York City the following year where a chance encounter led to an appearance on the 1962 album Quiet Nights with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley.
Sergio Mendes died of complications from COVID at the age of 83
