Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Hardly a year went by in the 1960s and ‘70s when Sergio Mendes wasn’t releasing an album, and while his pace wasn’t quite as constant afterwards, he’s continued recording on a semi-regular basis through 2020’s “In The Key Of Joy.”

The compilation of past and present tracks is an excellent summation of a spectacular career thus far and was an ideal vehicle to drive the “Bossa Nova Samba Celebration” Tour during an exclusive area stop at the stunning North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie.

Mendes may now be 82, but was absolutely on fire behind the keyboard throughout 80 festive minutes, enhanced by an extraordinary five-piece band and two singers, including his wife and longtime collaborator Gracinha Leporace, who frequently alternated between Portuguese and English.

No matter the language, or in the case of the instrumentals, the tempos, it was an enthralling overview that found the world-class musicians flawlessly locking into each groove and flourishing with an improvisational mindset.

From the start of “Indiado” through every passing number, the packed house only increased its applause, especially when Mendes and company crushed a jammy stretch stacked with rich percussive rhythms.

As the performance progressed, the clock wound back towards the breakthrough album “Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66” and the surrounding era when the group became a global trendsetter, though its fingerprints can of course still be found today within jazz, pop and even hip-hop.

The unforgettable likes of “The Fool On The Hill,” “Going Out Of My Mind” and “The Look Of Love” may have been respectively made famous by The Beatles, Little Anthony and Dusty Springfield, but at the North Shore Center, they unquestionably belonged to Mendes.

The same could be said about an exhilarating take on the Brazilian standard “Mas Que Nada,” while the dance party continued into an encore of “Magalenha” with the legendary band leader beaming through several bows and looking like he plans to keep playing as long as possible.

For additional information on Sergio Mendes, visit SergioMendesMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts include “Animaniacs” In Concert (Oct. 7); Music Of The Baroque: “Viva Vivaldi” (Oct. 15); Leann Rimes (Oct. 20); Vitamin String Quartet (Oct. 27); Isaac Mizrahi (Oct. 28); A Tribute To Jewish Women (Oct. 29); Craig Ferguson (Nov. 2); Louis Cato (Nov. 4); Dmitry Gordon (Nov. 5); José González (Nov. 11); Purple Kiss (Nov. 16); Atlanta Rhythm Section (Nov. 17); The State Ballet Theatre Of Ukraine: “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” (Nov. 18); Music Of The Baroque: “Windy City” (Nov. 19); John Splithoff (Nov. 25); Haley Reinhart (Nov. 26); Salt Creek Ballet: “The Nutcracker” (Nov. 1); Leo Kottke (Dec. 3); Robert Glasper (Dec. 4); Jake Shimabukuro (Dec. 7); Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Dec. 8); Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four (Dec. 9) and “Shrek: The Musical” (Dec. 21). For additional details, visit NorthShoreCenter.org.

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