Latest news with #MangioneBrothersSextet
Business Upturn
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Inside Chuck Mangione's Family: A look at the Jazz legend's private world
Jazz fans across the globe are mourning the loss of legendary flugelhorn player and composer Chuck Mangione, who passed away peacefully at the age of 84. While the world remembers him for his iconic hit 'Feels So Good' and decades of musical brilliance, those closest to him knew a very different side of the man behind the horn—a devoted family man with deep roots and a humble heart. A Musical Legacy Rooted in Family Born Charles Frank Mangione on November 29, 1940, to Italian-American parents in Rochester, New York, Chuck grew up in a household filled with music. His father, Frank Mangione, was a passionate jazz enthusiast who frequently invited jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie to their home for home-cooked Italian meals. These early experiences profoundly influenced Chuck and his brother, Gap Mangione, a talented pianist. Together, the brothers formed the Mangione Brothers Sextet, later known as the Jazz Brothers, while still in high school, laying the foundation for Chuck's illustrious career. The Mangione family's love for music was evident in their close-knit bond. Chuck's father played a pivotal role in exposing his sons to jazz legends, fostering an environment where creativity thrived. Dizzy Gillespie, a family friend, was so impressed by a teenage Chuck's talent that he gifted him one of his signature upswept trumpets, a moment that became a cornerstone of Mangione's musical journey. Chuck Mangione's Family Life Chuck Mangione was a private individual who kept his personal life out of the public eye. He was married and had two children, and his commitment to family was as strong as his dedication to music. While specific details about his wife and children are not widely publicized, his family's statement following his passing highlighted his warmth and devotion both on and off the stage. They noted his 'boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and pure joy' that radiated during performances, a reflection of the love he carried for his family and fans. Mangione's connection to his Italian heritage was also significant. His paternal uncle, Jerre Mangione, was a noted writer, further showcasing the family's creative spirit. Chuck's roots in Rochester remained a constant throughout his life, as he returned to his hometown after achieving international fame and even taught at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1963. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Mint
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who was Chuck Mangione? Grammy-winning jazz icon known for ‘Feels So Good' dies at 84
Charles Frank Mangione, the American jazz great who brought the flugelhorn into the popular music spotlight and captivated audiences with hits like 'Feels So Good', died peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2025, at his home in Rochester, New York. He was 84. His death was confirmed in a statement by his family shared with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on July 24. Over a six-decade career, Mangione released more than 30 albums, scored multiple Grammy Awards, and carved a unique space in the American jazz landscape. Born on November 29, 1940, to Italian-American parents in Rochester, Mangione studied at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and went on to perform with jazz legends, most notably filling the trumpet chair in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers — a position once held by Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard. Alongside his pianist brother, Gap, he co-led the Mangione Brothers Sextet/Quintet, recording three albums for Riverside Records in the early 1960s. One of their original compositions, 'Something Different,' caught the attention of alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who included it in his 1961 album African Waltz. Mangione broke into mainstream success in 1978 with 'Feels So Good', a breezy, horn-driven instrumental that became a rare jazz-pop crossover hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song helped define a generation of smooth jazz, its signature melody recognized instantly across genres. He also composed iconic Olympic music, including 'Chase the Clouds Away' for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games and 'Give It All You Got' for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid — the latter performed live at the closing ceremony and broadcast worldwide. Mangione's work was frequently honored. He won his first Grammy Award in 1977 for 'Bellavia' in the Best Instrumental Composition category. His second Grammy came two years later for the soundtrack to The Children of Sanchez, which featured sweeping compositions and emotional depth — the title track alone ran nearly 15 minutes. His bands featured top-tier musicians such as saxophonists Gerry Niewood and Chris Vadala, guitarist Grant Geissman, and drummer James Bradley Jr. In 1978, Mangione performed to a sold-out Hollywood Bowl backed by a 70-piece orchestra — a concert immortalized in his live album An Evening of Magic. Beyond the stage, Mangione used his music for charitable causes. In 1980, he organised a nine-hour benefit concert to aid Italian earthquake victims, bringing together stars like Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie. His later Tarantella album captured highlights from that performance. At his 60th birthday concert, he raised over $50,000 for St. John's Nursing Home in Rochester. Mangione was also a pop culture fixture. He made TV appearances, including Magnum, P.I., Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, and most famously, played a recurring animated version of himself on King of the Hill as Mega Lo Mart's celebrity spokesman — a role that earned him a new generation of fans. His 2000 album Everything For Love included a track titled 'Peggy Hill' in tribute to the show.
