Sérgio Santos Mendes (born February 11, 1941 in Niteròi Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader.. He has over 55 releases, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2012 as co-writer of the song “Real in Rio” from the animated film Rio. Mendes is a unique example of a Brazilian musician primarily known in the United States, where his albums were recorded and where most of his touring took place.