Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, who helped popularise bossa nova and samba with Western audiences, has died at the age of 83, his family has confirmed.

The bandleader and composer is best known for the buoyant Latin pop hit Mas Que Nada, and putting Brazilian twists on English songs such as The Look Of Love and The Beatles' The Fool On The Hill.

Mendes recorded more than 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum in the US; and received an Oscar nomination in 2012 for co-writing the song Real in Rio from the animated film Rio.

A statement from his family said Mendes "passed away peacefully" on Thursday in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and children.

No official cause of death was given, however the family said Mendes had been suffering with long-term Covid, and the musician was known to have suffered respiratory problems since the end of 2023.

The family's statement said Mendes "brought the joyous sounds of his native Brasil to the world".

"Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold out and wildly enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona.

"For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long-term COVID."

The statement concluded by saying Mendes "leaves us with an incredible musical legacy from more than six decades of a unique sound".