If there is any doubt that classic musical styles mellow with time while evolving with the times, consider this recent comment from Sergio Mendes:
“I met will.i.am five years ago, and he asked me to play a song on one of his records,” the Latin maestro and founding member of Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66 recalled. “After that, we did a project together and he produced my album ‘Timeless.’ ”
This Sunday, Montgomery College presents Sergio Mendes in concert performing new interpretations of his samba-based bossa nova music that includes songs from “Timeless” as well as his newest release, “Encanto.”
The first track on the “Timeless” album, “Mas Que Nada,” has been a featured part on commercials of Joga Bonito/Nike Footballl, and EA Sports’ “NBA Live ’07” and “2006 FIFA World Cup” video games.
Mendes refers to his latest concert tour (which has recently taken him to Japan) as a timeless musical journey.
“We do melodies from the Great Brazilian Songbook, songs that go back to bossa nova days, Brazil ’66 [and] songs from my latest records,” he said.
It is these latest albums that reach across styles and time, combining neosoul, bossa nova, samba, hip-hop and even a nod to reggae. Brazilian music, Mendes notes, is based on diversity. African rhythms brought the sound to Brazilian shores, and the Portuguese, in turn, brought beautiful melody there.
“I want people to enjoy the music,” Mendes said. “It is very spontaneous, very contagious, and it has all the components for timelessness. It is romantic, melodic and rhythmical.”
As the music performed leaps back and forth into time and place, other works will include “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “Look of Love,” “Ipanema,” “Mas Que Nada” and “One Note Samba.”
Everyone at Montgomery College is very excited Mendes is performing here and says how much they love his music, said Angie Lockhart, Montgomery College spokesperson.
“One person actually told me she wore out one of his albums from playing it so much,” she said. “[Mendes] is a true music legend.”
If you go
Sergio Mendes performs as part of the 2008-2009 Guest Artist Series
Where: Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Info: $48, $46 seniors/students; 240-567-5301, montgomerycollege.edu
