Chuck Mangione, Grammy-Winning Jazz Icon and Composer of ‘Feels So Good,’ Dies at 84
Chuck Mangione, the beloved flugelhornist, composer, and two-time Grammy Award winner who brought jazz to a broader audience with his smooth, melodic style, has died at the age of 84. Mangione passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York, on July 22, 2025, according to his attorney Peter S. Matorin. The news was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed via a message posted on Mangione’s official website.
Mangione is best remembered for his 1978 instrumental hit, “Feels So Good,” a jazz-pop crossover sensation that became an international favorite and defined his musical legacy. The track topped charts and airwaves, helping to popularize instrumental jazz with mainstream audiences and solidifying his place among the genre’s most influential figures.
Born and raised in Rochester, Mangione remained deeply connected to his hometown throughout his life. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, a prestigious conservatory located within the University of Rochester, and later returned as director of the school’s jazz ensemble, mentoring young musicians and championing jazz education.
His musical journey began in earnest in the early 1960s when he joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, a group that shaped the careers of numerous jazz legends. From there, Mangione developed his signature sound: lyrical, romantic, and unmistakably heartfelt — often punctuated by the warm tones of his favored instrument, the flugelhorn.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Mangione released more than 30 albums, composed film scores, and performed around the world. He won his first Grammy in 1977 for Best Instrumental Composition, and followed with another in 1979 for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. His music was featured at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal (“Chase the Clouds Away”) and again at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid (“Give It All You Got”), where he performed live during the closing ceremonies — a moment that cemented his place on the world stage.
Despite his commercial success, Mangione remained humble and committed to the artistry of jazz. Reflecting on his breakthrough hit in a 2008 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he said, “That song just topped out there and took it to a whole other level… it identified for a lot of people a song with an artist, even though I had a pretty strong base audience that kept us out there touring.”
Outside of music, Mangione found a second audience through pop culture. He had a long-running recurring role on the animated sitcom “King of the Hill,” playing a humorous version of himself as a Mega Lo Mart celebrity spokesperson. His appearances were often self-deprecating and beloved by fans. He even composed music for the show, notably scoring the 1998 Valentine’s Day episode.
In 2009, he made a lasting contribution to American musical heritage by donating his iconic brown felt hat, original sheet music, and other personal memorabilia to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The items serve as a testament to his influence and the deep emotional connection fans had with his music.
Mangione’s achievements were also recognized locally when he was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Despite his global fame, he remained a proud Rochester native and continually supported local music and cultural initiatives.
A gifted musician, a devoted educator, and a gentle cultural icon, Chuck Mangione leaves behind a rich legacy of music that spans genres and generations. His melodies will continue to evoke joy, nostalgia, and inspiration for years to come.
He is survived by his family, close friends, countless students, and millions of fans around the world who still feel so good when they hear his music.