Chuck Mangione, the iconic flugelhorn player whose joyful melodies bridged jazz and pop music, has died at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday at his home in Rochester, New York, a local funeral home confirmed.
Mangione rose to international fame in the 1970s with his smooth jazz crossover hit “Feels So Good,” a vibrant, uplifting tune that captured audiences around the world and became his signature song. The track reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977 and earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
Born Charles Frank Mangione in 1940, he grew up in Rochester in a musically rich household. His father introduced him to jazz legends of the era, including Dizzy Gillespie, who became a family friend and mentor. Gillespie was so taken with Mangione’s talent that he gifted him one of his distinctive upturned trumpets while Mangione was still a teenager.
Mangione’s illustrious career spanned five decades and more than 30 albums. He received 14 Grammy nominations and won two: Best Instrumental Composition in 1977 for “Bellavia,” a tribute to his mother, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1979 for “The Children of Sanchez,” which also earned a Golden Globe as the film’s soundtrack.
His music left a lasting impression on major cultural moments. “Chase the Clouds Away” was featured at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, while “Give It All You Got” served as the theme for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
Mangione’s passion for music and appreciation for his fans were evident throughout his life. After performances, he often sat at the edge of the stage, signing autographs and connecting with concertgoers.
In the late 1990s, Mangione gained a new generation of fans through his recurring role as himself on the animated series King of the Hill, where he was humorously cast as a spokesman for the fictional Mega-lo-Mart.
Chuck Mangione’s enduring spirit, radiant performances, and heartfelt melodies made him a beloved figure in American music. His legacy lives on through his timeless recordings and the joy he brought to millions worldwide.
