Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes, who introduced bossa nova to an international audience in the 1960s, died in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 83, his family said.

In a statement posted on their website, the family said Mendes, who had been suffering from the effects of long-term Covid, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and children.

One of the most internationally successful Brazilian artists, Mendes has recorded over 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum.

Mendes, a three-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee, last performed in November 2023 to sold-out and extremely enthusiastic audiences in Paris, London and Barcelona.

The family said Mendes “leaves behind an incredible musical legacy spanning more than six decades, with a unique sound that was first pioneered by his band Brasil ’66.”

American musician Herb Alpert, who helped Mendes launch his international career, said on Instagram that Mendes was “an extremely talented musician who brought Brazilian music in all its forms to the entire world with its grandeur and joy.”