Saturday May 17, 2008 (5–10pm)
Brazilian pianist Sérgio Mendes has played with the likes of Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Mann, and, most famously, compatriot Antonio Carlos Jobim. But it was his appearance at the Academy Awards back in 1968 that truly cemented his place in pop culture: Mendes and his band, Brazil '66, played Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "The Look of Love," and their rendition was so swingin' that it supplanted the version sung by Dusty Springfield. Four decades later, Mendes reprises that hit, this time with Fergie singing lead and Will.i.am co-producing. If 2006's revival of "Mas Que Nada" is any indication, the classic's gonna be a smash all over again. Tonight, he performs live for the JVC Jazz Festival.
– John Hood