Chuck Mangione, Grammy-Winning Jazz Musician and Composer, Dies Aged 84
Chuck Mangione, the celebrated jazz flugelhorn and trumpet player whose music has captivated audiences worldwide, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 84. The news was confirmed by his family, who shared their deep sadness in a statement released to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Mangione died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York.
A representative for the musician confirmed the news to People Magazine, and a message on his official website read: “We are very sorry. Chuck Mangione has passed.”
Born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, Chuck Mangione grew up in a household steeped in jazz. His father, a passionate jazz fan, introduced Mangione and his brother Gap Mangione (a talented pianist) to the genre from a young age. The family’s home was filled with the sounds of jazz legends like Carmen McRae and Art Blakey, and their father regularly took them to Sunday matinees at local jazz clubs. “We grew up thinking everyone had Carmen McRae and Art Blakey over for dinner,” Mangione once recalled.
This early exposure to jazz laid the foundation for Chuck’s lifelong love affair with music. By high school, Mangione was playing the trumpet in a jazz band with his brother, known as the Jazz Brothers. He later went on to study at the Eastman School of Music, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in music. Mangione returned to Eastman in 1968 to direct the school’s jazz ensemble and further develop the school’s jazz program until 1972.
Mangione’s musical career was a true testament to his talent and dedication. Over the years, he released more than 30 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. His music brought jazz to mainstream audiences, with hits like the iconic “Feels So Good” from his 1977 album of the same name. The album went on to become one of the most successful jazz records in history, and its title track remains a staple of smooth jazz to this day.
Throughout his career, Mangione received 13 Grammy nominations and won two Grammy Awards: the first in 1977 for his composition “Bellavia”, and the second in 1979 for his performance in the soundtrack of The Children of Sanchez. Mangione’s contribution to music extended beyond his studio work; he performed live at significant events, including the closing ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, where he performed his iconic song “Give It All You Got.”
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In 2009, Mangione generously donated his music memorabilia to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., ensuring that his contributions to jazz would be preserved for future generations. He was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2012, a well-deserved honor for a man whose music had shaped the landscape of jazz for decades.
Mangione was also known for his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and the joy he radiated while performing. In their statement, his family reflected on his deep connection with his fans, noting, “Chuck’s love affair with music has been characterized by his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and pure joy that radiated from the stage.” They added, “His appreciation for his loyal worldwide fans was genuine as evidenced by how often he would sit at the edge of the stage after a concert for however long it took to sign autographs for the fans who stayed to meet him and the band.”
Chuck Mangione’s influence extends far beyond his music. As a mentor and educator, he inspired countless musicians to follow their passion for jazz. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his live performances, and the many lives he touched throughout his long career.
Fans worldwide will continue to cherish his music and the impact it had on the jazz genre. His songs, filled with melody, rhythm, and emotion, will remain timeless pieces in the rich history of American music.