Celso Mendes left his native Brazil as a young man to travel around the world. Landing first in Europe, he tried to develop his musical talents by playing with local jazz musicians in Germany, but the pull of the mountainous beaches of Rio was too much and after a short stint he returned to his homeland. It was then that he met the beautiful Lua, who would lend her voice to many of his most successful recordings. His take on My Cherie Amour was presented to several record labels before being chosen by PMB to join the ranks of the Vintage Café series. He credits Francoise Sanders with introducing him to the label and adds that without Lua’s vocals, his bossa arrangements would be just one more drop in the ocean that is Brazilian music.