Grammy-winning vocalist Lani Hall joined Brasil '66 in 1966 as the band's lead singer. Hall's entry into the band was made possible by bandleader Sergio Mendes' recognition of her performance at The Centaur Coffee House in 1965.
Sir Mendes invited Hall to Los Angeles for his upcoming project - Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66, which she agreed upon after Sir Mendes met her parents. The band went to sign with A&M Records in 1966, a move that led Hall to meet her future husband and the label's co-founder, Herb Alpert.
The Brazilian band and Herb Alpert are mourning the loss of the legendary musician and bandleader Sergio Mendes. Sir Mendes passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024. His wife and musician, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, along with his children, at the time of his demise.
Sir Sergio Mendes' passing was followed by heartfelt tributes from numerous musicians and collaborators he worked with over the past six decades. Sir Mendes' long-time friend, Herb Alpert, shared a black-and-white photo with the singer and wrote:
"Sérgio Mendes was my brother from another country. He was a true friend and extremely gifted musician who brought Brazilian music in all its iterations to the entire world with elegance and joy."
All you need to know about Sir Sergio Mendes' Brasil '66 band amid his passing
Sir Sergio Mendes founded the Brasil '66 band soon after the Los Angeles project, Brasill '65 disbanded. With Lani Hall in the lead, the band released their first album, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, in August 1966.
The 10-track project was an immediate hit, debuting at #7 on the US Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the US Top Jazz Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum in no time and credited much of its success to the single Mas Que Nada.
The track, written by Jorge Ben Jor, peaked at #6 on the UK Singles chart and reigned at No. 2 on the UK Hip Hop/R&B chart.
Brasil '66 released their sophomore album, Equinox, in the following year. It peaked at #24 on the US Billboard 200 chart and debuted at third on the US Top Jazz Albums chart. The album sold over 500,000 copies and was certified Gold by the RIAA in May 1969.
In the early years, the band's original line-up included Sir Mendes on piano, Lani Hall and Janis Hansen on vocals, and bassist Bob Matthews. The drummer Joao Palma and percussionist Jose Soares were also part of the line-up. John Pisano joined the band as a guest guitarist for certain projects.
The star-studded line-up recorded some of Brasil '66's most popular projects between 1966 and 1968, including the Look Around LP album. It was released in February 1967 and ranked fifth on the US Billboard 200 chart.
The album sold over 500,000 copies quickly and received the RIAA's Gold certification in May of the same year.
The Brasil '66 band saw a personnel change in late 1968 when Karen Philipp replaced vocalist Janis Hansen. However, that didn't change much as the band released consecutive hits such as Fool on the Hill, Crystal Illusions, Ye-Me-Lê, and more.
In mid-1970, the band's lead singer, Lani Hall, left to marry Herb Alpert. Soon after, Hall began her solo career and was replaced by Sir Sergio Mendes' wife, Gracinha Leporace.
Sir Sergio Mendes' Brasil '66 band released their seventh studio album, Stillness, in 1971. It was reportedly the band's last project and comprised popular songs like Righteous Life, Chelsea Morning, Lost in Paradise, and more. The #10 peaking song on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Music Chart, For What It's Worth, was also part of the 1971 album.
