Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione (pronounced man-JIOE-nee) (born November 29, 1940) is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good". Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960. [1]

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Early life and career

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Mangione and his pianist brother Gap led the Jazz Brothers group which recorded three albums for Riverside Records. He attended the Eastman School of Music from 1958 to 1963, and afterwards joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, for which he filled the trumpet seat, previously held by greats such as Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, Bill Hardman, and Lee Morgan. ^[2] Mangione served as director of the Eastman jazz ensemble from 1968 to 1972, and in 1970, he returned to recording with the album Friends and Love , recorded in concert with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and numerous guest performers. ^[3] His quartet with saxophonist Gerry Niewood was a popular concert and recording act throughout the 1970s. "Bellavia", recorded during this collaboration, won Mangione his first Grammy Award in 1977 in the category Best Instrumental Composition. ^[4]

Mangione's composition "Chase the Clouds Away" was used at the 1976 Summer Olympics, with a later composition, "Give It All You Got", being used as the theme to the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, held in Lake Placid, New York. He performed it live at the closing ceremonies, which were televised globally. ^[5] In 1978 Mangione composed the soundtrack for the film The Children of Sanchez , starring Anthony Quinn. This album won him his second Grammy, in the category Best Pop Instrumental performance in 1979 and the title song, almost 15 minutes long in full version and featuring one of the most recognizable wind section themes, has not lost its popularity to this day.

A 1980 issue of Current Biography called "Feels So Good" the most recognized tune since "Michelle" by The Beatles. Recently, smooth jazz stations throughout the United States have recognized Mangione's "Feels So Good" as their all-time number one song. ^[6] He raised over $50,000 for St. John's Nursing Home at his 60th Birthday Bash Concert, held at Rochester's Eastman Theatre. ^[7]

Acting career and television appearances

thumb In addition to music, Chuck Mangione has had a recurring voice-acting role on the animated television series King of the Hill . In it he portrays himself as a celebrity spokesman for Mega Lo Mart, although his animated form looks much younger than his age would indicate. The first episode of King of the Hill featuring Mangione originally aired on February 16, 1997. The episode featured an original score specifically recorded for the occasion. He continued to appear in episodes, a total of ten more up until 2003. ^[8] In the context of the series, Chuck chafes under an oppressive spokesperson contract with Mega Lo Mart and eventually goes into hiding inside one of their own stores. After a long hiatus, the character of Chuck Mangione returned in a later episode entitled "Lucky's Wedding Suit", in May of 2007. A recurring joke is that whatever tune he plays on his flugelhorn inevitably shifts into "Feels So Good" after a few bars.

In the Magnum, P.I. episode "Paradise Blues," Chuck Mangione portrays a fellow night club act along with TC's (Roger E. Mosley's) former girlfriend. Chuck performs two singles and has lines near the end of the show.

On July 4, 1983, Chuck Mangione was in attendance as the New York Yankees played the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. After playing the national anthem on the flugelhorn, Mangione, a Yankees fan, joined Phil Rizzuto and Bill White in the broadcast booth. Mangione gave his thoughts on the Yankee players and played a few bars of Feels So Good.Dave Righetti threw a 4-0 no-hitter.

In 1988, Chuck Mangione appeared on the hit children's TV show: Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show as "Little Boy Blue".

Mangione's current band

Chuck Mangione's current band comprises:

Brandon Wright - Woodwinds
Dave Tull - Drums
Kevin Axt - Bass
Corey Allen - Keyboards


Two members of the band were among those killed when Continental Airlines Flight 3407 crashed into a Buffalo, New York, area house on February 12, 2009. The members were identified as Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett. In a statement Mangione, said: "I'm in shock over the horrible, heartbreaking tragedy." ^[9]

References

1. Chuck Mangione < Discography < Main Albums
2. ''Hard Bop Academy: The Sidemen of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers,'' Gene Santoro (Hal Leonard, 2002) ISBN 0634037935
3. Friends & Love: A Chuck Mangione Concert
4. Chuck Mangione at All About Jazz
5. Mangione at a Glance
6. Chuck Mangione to Perform with Columbus Jazz Orchestra
7. Chuck Mangione: Book Chuck Mangione For Concerts and Events Worldwide
8. Chuck Mangione - Filmography by TV Series
9. "Chuck Mangione's Bandmates Die in Fatal Crash." ''TMZ''. February 13, 2009. Retrieved on February 13, 2009.