Jazz Great Chuck Mangione, Dead at 84
Share this @internewscast.com

Renowned jazz musician and two-time Grammy Award recipient, Chuck Mangione, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 84. Known for his exceptional talent with the flugelhorn and trumpet, Mangione released over 30 albums and garnered 14 Grammy nominations throughout his career.

Born in Rochester, New York, Mangione embarked on his jazz journey by immersing himself in his father’s jazz record collection alongside his brother, Gap. Weekends were often spent attending performances of the jazz icons of the time, such as Miles Davis and Sarah Vaughn. Mangione fondly recounted how his father would invite these musicians to their home for meals, a special experience for touring artists. He often remarked on growing up believing that having the likes of Carmen McRae and Art Blakey over for dinner was a common occurrence.

Early on, Mangione, along with Gap, formed their own group, The Jazz Brothers. He developed his own style, being influenced by the man he would call his “musical father,” fellow jazz great Dizzy Gillespie. After attending the Eastman School of Music, he put out his first solo album. He would go on to join Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. 

He returned to Eastman as director of the school’s jazz ensemble. But it was a concert with the Rochester Philharmonic that would lead to his first recording contract with a major label, Mercury Records, and a Grammy nomination. Two of Mangione’s biggest successes came in 1976. After signing with A&M Records, his song “Chase the Clouds Away” was used for background music for the 1976 Olympic Games. He also released “Bellavia” (Beautiful Way) in honor of his mother, a song which earned him a Grammy nomination.

The ’70s were good for Chuck Mangione, but the 80s were even better. In 1977, the album and title track, “Feels So Good,” became mega hits, and propelled jazz into popular music, and no doubt introduced many to the genre. He got the Olympic nod again in 1980, when his song, “Give It All You Got,” was the theme for the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. He played it during the closing ceremonies of the Games in front of a worldwide audience of millions.

By the late eighties, Mangione took a break from touring, but when his mentor, Dizzy Gillespie, died in 1993, it may have been the catalyst for a comeback. By 1994, he was back touring and recording. Chuck Mangione also branched out, playing himself as the Mega Lo Mart celebrity spokesman on “King of the Hill.” 

In 1999, Mangione performed at a film and jazz festival in Poland. During that time, Poles were fighting for democracy, and music from his “Children of Sanchez” album had become an anthem of sorts. His performance left many in tears. Just recently, the nation’s smooth jazz radio stations voted “Feels So Good” as their all-time, number one song.

As a kid growing up in the 70s, Chuck Mangione was just one of the many jazz legends whose music my dad would play and could be heard throughout our house. I was the only kid on the block who knew who guys like Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan, Art Blakey, and yes, Chuck Mangione were. I thought everyone’s dad listened to jazz…including Chuck Mangione. 

My dad has been gone for 16 years now. But I appreciate the music he loved, as a trumpet player himself, and as a fan even more. I have learned later in life what my dad tried to teach–that jazz, like a lot of other things, is timeless. 

Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Teen street musician jailed for leading anti-Putin song performance in St. Petersburg: report

Teen Street Musician Arrested for Performing Anti-Putin Song in St. Petersburg: Report

A teenage street performer has been incarcerated in St. Petersburg for leading…
Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins killed in UK prison

Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Found Dead in UK Prison, Two Individuals Charged with Murder

Watkins was incarcerated at HMP Wakefield, a maximum-security facility in England often…
LA county reaches tentative $828M agreement to settle 400 more claims of sexual abuse

LA County Agrees to $828M Settlement for 400 Sexual Abuse Claims: A Major Step Towards Justice

Los Angeles County has reached a preliminary agreement worth $828 million to…
Epstein flight manifests revealed as House committee releases docs, transcript with former US attorney

House Committee Unveils Epstein Flight Manifests and Transcript with Former U.S. Attorney

On Friday, the House Oversight Committee unveiled a transcript of an interview…
Routine school day turns tragic as staffer dies after student allegedly boots her in chest: DA

Tragic School Incident: Staff Member Dies After Alleged Student Assault

A tragic incident unfolded in a Massachusetts school, resulting in the death…
Florida attorney general identifies wrongful charges under halted immigration law

Florida Attorney General Initiates Legal Action Against California and Washington Over Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Truck Drivers

An accident on Florida’s Turnpike involving a truck driver without proper documentation,…
IDF holds memorial ceremony at base attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7 honoring fallen troops

IDF Honors Fallen Soldiers in Solemn Memorial Ceremony at Site of October 7th Hamas Attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commemorated the second anniversary of the October…
Illegal immigrant accused of offering $10K bounties to kill ICE agents on TikTok arrested with loaded gun: DHS

Arrest Made: Man Accused of Offering Bounties Against ICE Agents on TikTok Found with Loaded Firearm

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: A 23-year-old undocumented immigrant, accused of offering $10,000 via…
Illegal street takeover shuts down busy intersection with dangerous stunts, fireworks: police

Expert Reveals Organized Crime Rings Exploiting Youth in Vehicle Thefts for Dramatic Street Takeovers

Authorities are urgently trying to curb a disturbing trend where organized crime…
'No Kings' organizer discourages violence following coast-to-coast arrests

‘No Kings’ Movement Leader Condemns Violence Amid Nationwide Arrests: Calls for Peaceful Advocacy

Progressive watchdog group, Public Citizen, has launched a series of “No Kings”…
Interim head of Chicago ICE field office, Russell Hott, called to testify on feds' use of force, heading back to Washington

Chicago ICE Interim Chief Russell Hott to Testify on Federal Use of Force in Washington

The interim director of the Chicago U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
John Bolton arrives at court to surrender to authorities on charges in classified information case

John Bolton’s Courtroom Drama: What You Need to Know About His Classified Information Charges

On Friday, former national security adviser John Bolton appeared at a federal…