Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning flugelhorn player and jazz icon whose smooth melodies defined a generation, died this week at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday at his home in Rochester, New York, according to a local funeral home.
Mangione’s career spanned five decades and more than 30 albums, earning him a devoted fan base and critical acclaim for his signature blend of jazz, pop, and classical elements. He was best known for his 1977 crossover hit “Feels So Good,” which soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a staple of smooth jazz radio.
“Chuck’s love affair with music was defined by his limitless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and the joy he brought to every performance,” his family said in a statement to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. After concerts, Mangione often sat at the edge of the stage to meet fans and sign autographs — a tradition that reflected his deep appreciation for his audience.
Born Charles Frank Mangione in 1940 in Rochester, he grew up in a household steeped in jazz. His father introduced him to the greats of the 1950s, including family friend Dizzy Gillespie, who was so impressed by young Mangione’s talent that he gifted him one of his iconic “upswept” trumpets.
Mangione began playing music at the age of eight, quickly developing into a virtuoso on the trumpet and flugelhorn. He studied music formally and went on to compose works that would appear on the world stage. His piece “Chase the Clouds Away” was featured during the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, while “Give It All You Got” became the theme for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
He won two Grammy Awards out of 14 nominations. In 1977, he took home Best Instrumental Composition for “Bellavia,” named after his mother. Two years later, he won Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “The Children of Sanchez,” the soundtrack to the film of the same name, which also earned a Golden Globe Award.
In the late 1990s, Mangione experienced a resurgence in popularity through pop culture. He voiced a cartoon version of himself in the hit animated series King of the Hill, serving as a celebrity spokesperson for the fictional “Mega Lo Mart” chain, with the catchphrase “Shopping feels so good.” He also composed music for the show’s 1998 Valentine’s Day episode.
Chuck Mangione’s legacy endures in the warm, melodic sounds that defined his music — and in the joy he brought to audiences around the world.
