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Sergio Mendes at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

By Mark Robbins
September 8, 2023
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The audience at the Sandler Center was on its feet cheering as the familiar sound of "Magalenha" filled the room and the cheering grew even louder as the band's leader, Sergio Mendes, took his place behind the keyboard. For 60 years Mendes has been the voice of Bossa Nova, Samba and Latin Jazz, and ever since Herb Alpert Presents: Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 made its debut in 1966 he has continually been at the top of the charts with 40 albums. Throughout the 90-minute set familiar tunes such as "The Look of Love," "Goin' Out of My Head," "Waters of March," and "Like A Lover" kept the crowd dancing in their seats. Backed by a dynamic five-piece band and two vocalists, one being his wife of 59 years Gracinha Leporace, Mendes never left his post behind the keyboard introducing songs and sometimes turning his seat around just so he could watch his fellow musicians play. By the time the first notes of the final song of the night, "Mas Que Nada" rang out the 200 or so Mendes fans were up and dancing in the aisles. From the sounds of the happiness this concert brought they could still be dancing.

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Sergio Mendes Bossa Nova Samba Celebration

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