Sergio Mendes died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 83.

No cause of death was given, but he has reportedly been battling long COVID.

In a statement, Mendes’s family said he “passed away peacefully” in his home town of Los Angeles.

“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children. Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold out and wildly enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona,” a statement from his family read, per Guardian.. “For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long-term Covid.”

Per the report, Mendes “defined how American audiences heard and digested Brazillian music” for decades. He is credited with releasing a whopping 55 albums with the first, ‘Dance Moderno (Philips) coming in 1961, and the last, “In the Key of Joy (Concord),” coming in 2020.

He won a Grammy in 1993 for his album “Brasileiro,” which won the Best World Music Album award. He also won a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Latin Grammy Awards in 2005.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.