The entertainment world is once again in mourning following the death of musician Chuck Mangione, best known for his jazz instrumental “Feels So Good.” The news of his passing was announced this Thursday through his official website.
How did Chuck Mangione die?
On the musician’s official page, a message simply read: “We are very sorry. Chuck Mangione has passed. More to come.” Later, his attorney, Peter S. Matorin, along with a local funeral home, confirmed the artist’s death. He passed away on July 22. According to the information provided, Mangione died peacefully in his sleep at home of natural causes.
How old was Chuck Mangione?
At the time of his death, Chuck was 84 years old.
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What was Chuck Mangione’s net worth?
Chuck Mangione’s net worth is currently estimated at $10 million, accumulated over decades of work in the music industry, where he made his mark as a flugelhorn player, trumpeter, and composer.
Who was Chuck Mangione?
Chuck Mangione, born Charles Frank Mangione on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, became a distinctive figure in the world of contemporary jazz. From his early steps in music, he displayed an uncommon artistic sensitivity. He began playing the trumpet as a child, influenced by the musical atmosphere in his home. His brother Gapa, a pianist, was his first improvisation partner, and together they explored melodies that would later form the basis of a brilliant musical career.
He received formal training at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, also located in his hometown. However, it was outside the classroom where Mangione truly began to shape his musical identity. Thanks to his father, he had access to live performances at the nearby Ridgecrest Inn, where he saw legends such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and Dizzy Gillespie. These experiences not only broadened his musical horizons but also inspired him to find his own voice in jazz.
In the 1960s, Mangione and his brother founded The Jazz Brothers, a group focused on the then-popular hard bop style. This venture cemented his presence in the jazz scene and prepared him for future collaborations with renowned musicians. In 1965, his talent led him to perform with the bands of Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson, and he later joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he stayed for two years. This period was crucial to his development as both a performer and a composer.
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After leaving Blakey, Chuck chose to pursue his own path, leading his own band and experimenting with the flugelhorn, which he eventually adopted as his signature instrument. His emotional and approachable style of jazz broke conventions and attracted both purists and new listeners. The success of songs like “Feels So Good” (1978), which became an international hit and reached the U.S. Top 5, solidified his status as a mainstream artist. The album of the same name peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Following a period away from the spotlight, Mangione returned in the 1990s and recorded with Chesky Records. He also gained renewed popularity by appearing as a caricatured version of himself in the long-running animated series King of the Hill, introducing his legacy to a new generation.
