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NBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Chuck Mangione, jazz musician who crossed over with '70s pop hit 'Feels So Good,' dies at 84
Chuck Mangione, the jazz musician whose "Feels So Good" cracked the pop top 10 chart in the 1970s, died Tuesday, officials said. He was 84. Mangione died "peacefully" in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York, according to his obituary. The mayor or Rochester confirmed his death in a statement praising "the gifted jazz musician and composer." Mangione's official cause of death was not announced. Born in 1940, Mangione grew up in Rochester, graduating from the New York town's Benjamin Franklin High School before attending and earning a Bachelor's Degree from Eastman School of Music, also in Rochester. According to the Bartolomeo & Perotto funeral home, Mangione taught at Eastman and later received an honorary Doctorate degree from the school. He also started the school's jazz program. Mangione's jazz career kicked off as a teenage flugelhorn player when he formed the Jazz Brothers alongside his brother, Gap, according to the obituary. It led to a decades-long career that yielded 14 Grammy nominations — and two wins — an induction into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame and more than 30 albums. Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans called Mangione an artist "who earned international distinction, and Rochester's pride." In 1970, Mangione recorded his Friends & Love concert with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, which landed him a recording contract and ultimately his first Grammy nomination, according to the funeral home obituary. He released "Bellavia," a record to honor his mother, in the first year he signed with A&M records, which took home the Best Instrumental Composition award at the 19th Grammys. Mangione's biggest hit, "Feels So Good" soared to the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978 and earned him a nomination for Record of the Year at the 21st Grammy Awards, bringing the musician to new heights.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chuck Mangione death: Grammy-winning musician behind ‘Feels So Good' dies at 84
Chuck Mangione, the jazz flugelhornist and trumpeter best known for his 1977 hit 'Feels So Good,' died Tuesday. The 84-year-old passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Rochester, New York, according to the Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, WROC reports. Born in Rochester on November 29, 1940, Mangione began his musical journey alongside his brother, Gap, through their group The Jazz Brothers. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in 1963, later returning to teach jazz and even receiving an honorary doctorate. Over six decades, he released more than 30 albums, earning 14 Grammy nominations and winning two: Best Instrumental Composition for 'Bellavia' and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for 'Children of Sanchez.' Mangione's biggest hit, 'Feels So Good,' topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in May 1978 and climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 that June. The track also found its way into pop culture, from a memorable Memorex commercial with Ella Fitzgerald to recurring appearances in shows like King of the Hill. Mangione voiced a fictionalized version of himself on King of the Hill as a Mega Lo Mart spokesperson secretly living in the store under a never-ending endorsement contract. His character appeared in over a dozen episodes from Seasons 2 through 13, making him one of the show's most memorable recurring guest stars. Mangione also composed music for two Winter Olympics. His song 'Chase the Clouds Away' featured in the 1976 Games, and he performed 'Give It All You Got' at the 1980 Lake Placid closing ceremony. In 2012, Mangione was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Chuck Mangione passes away at 84: A look back at his legendary life and career
The music world mourns the loss of jazz legend Chuck Mangione, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Rochester, New York home on July 22, 2025, at the age of 84. Known for his virtuosic flugelhorn and trumpet playing, as well as his iconic compositions, Mangione leaves behind a remarkable legacy that spans decades, genres, and generations. His signature hit, 'Feels So Good,' remains one of the most recognizable jazz-pop anthems of all time. This article celebrates his extraordinary life, career, and contributions to music. Early Life and Musical Roots in Rochester Born Charles Frank Mangione on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, to Italian-American parents, Chuck was immersed in music from a young age. His father, Frank Mangione, a passionate music enthusiast, frequently hosted jazz musicians at their home, exposing young Chuck to legends like Art Blakey and Carmen McRae. At age 10, Mangione began playing the trumpet, and by his teenage years, he was performing in a jazz combo with his pianist brother, Gap Mangione, while attending Benjamin Franklin High School. Mangione's early exposure to jazz shaped his musical path. After graduating high school in 1958, he pursued a bachelor's degree in music education at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, graduating in 1963. His time at Eastman not only honed his technical skills but also laid the foundation for his innovative approach to blending jazz, pop, and classical elements. Rise to Fame: The Jazz Brothers and Beyond Mangione's career began to take shape in the early 1960s when he and his brother Gap formed the Mangione Brothers Sextet/Quintet, later known as the Jazz Brothers. The group recorded three albums for Riverside Records, showcasing Chuck's burgeoning talent as a composer and performer. One of his compositions, 'Something Different,' caught the attention of jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who recorded it on his 1961 album African Waltz . In the late 1960s, Mangione joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, filling the trumpet chair previously held by jazz giants like Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan. This experience sharpened his skills and deepened his understanding of jazz's improvisational roots. He also served as director of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble from 1968 to 1972, further cementing his connection to his alma mater. 'Feels So Good': A Jazz-Pop Sensation Chuck Mangione achieved international stardom in 1977 with the release of his album Feels So Good . The title track, a smooth, melodic instrumental, climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—a rare feat for a jazz composition. The album itself went double-platinum, becoming one of the most successful jazz records of all time. Its breezy, accessible sound appealed to both jazz purists and mainstream audiences, solidifying Mangione's place in music history. Mangione's success with Feels So Good was no fluke. His ability to craft memorable melodies and fuse jazz with pop and orchestral elements resonated with listeners worldwide. The song's enduring popularity is evident in its frequent use in media, including references on the animated series King of the Hill , where Mangione voiced himself as a recurring character and spokesperson for Mega Lo Mart. A Prolific Career and Grammy Wins Over his career, Mangione released more than 30 albums, showcasing his versatility as a composer, performer, and bandleader. His 1977 composition 'Bellavia' earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, while the 1978 soundtrack for The Children of Sanchez won him a second Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. The latter, a nearly 15-minute piece featuring a wind section theme, highlighted his ability to create expansive, cinematic works. Mangione's music also graced global stages. His composition 'Chase the Clouds Away' was featured at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and 'Give It All You Got' served as the theme for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, where he performed live during the closing ceremonies. These milestones brought his music to international audiences and underscored his knack for capturing the spirit of major events. In the late 1970s, Mangione's ensemble, featuring saxophonist Gerry Niewood, guitarist Grant Geissman, bassist Charles Meeks, and drummer James Bradley Jr., became a staple of his live performances and recordings. Their chemistry shone on albums like Fun and Games and the live An Evening of Magic , recorded with a 70-piece orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl in 1978. Contributions Beyond Music Mangione's influence extended beyond the recording studio. In 2009, he donated significant memorabilia to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, including his signature brown felt hat, sheet music, photos, albums, and an animation cell from King of the Hill . His recurring role on the show introduced his music and persona to new generations, blending his jazz legacy with pop culture. A private individual, Mangione kept his personal life out of the spotlight. He was married with two children, and his commitment to family and music remained central to his life. His signature felt hat became an iconic symbol of his unique style, and his contributions to Rochester's music scene earned him induction into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Los Angeles Times
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Why L.A. students walked out of school and protested mass deportations
For Lexi Resendiz, 16, a student at Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park, the walkout was a way of standing up for her family. 'I'm trying to defend my parents, who immigrated here to get me a better life,' she said. 'How are people going to hate when they don't even know the real us.' For Samantha Fonseca, 17, who attends Woodrow Wilson High School in El Sereno, the protest was a way 'to show that immigrants are not criminals.' Hundreds of students walked out of their high schools Tuesday, part of a long Los Angeles tradition of student walkouts for civil and immigrant rights. Against the downtown cityscape, a sea of youths could be seen walking along the sidewalk on the Cesar Chavez Bridge, wearing backpacks draped in Mexican and Salvadoran flags and holding signs protesting President Trump's mass deportation policies. Students from several high schools, including Roosevelt, Garfield, and Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez, were among the young protesters who took to the streets. Brian Benitez, 17, a student at Roosevelt, said he learned during Spanish class about the call to action. He said it was important to participate for his family. 'I have to be here. I have to represent,' he said. After marching to City Hall, where thousands of protesters assembled, the crowd moved to Olvera Street. For decades now, youth-led actions have been an integral part of activism in L.A.. They played a major role in the Chicano movement of the 1960s and '70s, emboldening youths to advocate against social inequalities and discrimination within the public education system. In 1968, student-led marches and walkouts for Chicano rights became a major touchpoint in the battle for Latino equal rights. Paula Crisostomo was 16 at Lincoln High School when she began having political discussions around change. Eventually, Crisostomo and other high school and college students joined the newly formed group Young Citizens for Community Action. 'This week, students have once again assumed the leadership to send a strong message that they, their families and their communities must be honored, respected and supported,' Crisostomo said. As the teenagers gathered to show their support for immigrant communities, they also called out against deportations, displacement and family separation. 'It is really affecting our mental health,' said Roxana Gonzalez, 16, a student at Bravo Medical Magnet High School. 'It's a really stressful place to be right now.' Playing a role in the walkouts meant, 'Our voices are getting heard,' said Angel Garcia,16. Bella Gomez, 16, who attends John Marshall High School in Los Feliz, organized the walkout on her campus with a friend, Johanna, 18, who asked that her last name not be used to protect her privacy. They wanted to join nearby schools and unite under common demands. 'I cry at night thinking that my dad won't come home,' said Johanna, whose family is from El Salvador. 'As someone who comes from an immigrant family, I have a lot of issues with the [immigration] policy under the administration. I decided to do the walkout today at school to express that and show everyone here, all the kids from immigrants, that you can do it too.' Later in the day, police issued a dispersal order, saying some students were throwing rocks and bottles at them, and one adult protester was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism. But several students stressed they were walking out in the spirit of peace, to represent their families and to make a difference. As the protests began to dwindle, Fonseca, the Wilson High student, joined a dance circle, which she saw as a form of resistance. 'Some of us stood back to dance and spread our culture,' she said. Elizabeth Correa, 17, who also attends Wilson High, said migrants are an inextricable part of the country. 'This land is built on the exploitation of immigrants,' she said. Gomez, the Marshall High student, said she viewed the day's walkout as just the start. 'I definitely want to preface that this is a movement, not a moment. It's not a trend, and it's something that will keep going until we are protected by laws that protect our rights and basic human needs,' she said. Wolfson is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles.
