Entertainment: The world of music is bidding a fond farewell to Chuck Mangione, the legendary flugelhornist and composer whose melodious tunes, most notably “Feels So Good,” captivated audiences across generations. Mangione, aged 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Rochester home on Tuesday, a local funeral home confirmed.
Mangione’s illustrious career spanned over three decades, marked by a prolific output of more than 30 albums and a remarkable 14 Grammy nominations, from which he clinched two prestigious awards. His 1978 smash hit, “Feels So Good,” became an instant pop-jazz sensation, climbing to an impressive No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a coveted Grammy nod for Record of the Year. This breakout success propelled him to global recognition and led to significant commissions, including “Give It All You Got,” the stirring official theme for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Notably, this wasn’t his first Olympic connection; his 1975 track “Chase the Clouds Away” graced the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal.
Born in Rochester on November 29, 1940, Mangione’s musical journey began early, with piano lessons at the tender age of eight. Inspired by the film “Young Man With a Horn,” he soon transitioned to brass. By his high school years, he had already formed a jazz band alongside his brother, pianist Gap Mangione, showcasing his burgeoning talent. A distinguished alumnus of the Eastman School of Music, he graduated in 1963 and later returned to impart his knowledge as a revered teacher and director of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble.
His solo career truly took flight with the 1970 live recording “Friends & Love… A Chuck Mangione Concert,” which not only earned him a Grammy nomination but also put him firmly on the Billboard charts with the popular single “Hill Where the Lord Hides.” Mangione’s artistic prowess was further recognized when his 1976 album “Bellavia” secured his first Grammy. Two years later, he added another Grammy to his collection for “The Children of Sanchez,” an album that also garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. Beyond his musical achievements, fans of the popular animated series “King of the Hill” will fondly remember Mangione’s animated alter ego, a recurring character always sporting his characteristic smile and flugelhorn. Chuck Mangione’s distinctive sound played a pivotal role in bringing jazz into the mainstream, ensuring its enduring presence on radio waves for a generation and cementing his legacy as a true innovator.