JAZZ musician Chuck Mangione has tragically died in his sleep aged 84.
The sad news was confirmed today on Mangione's personal website.
A statement read: "We are very sorry. Chuck Mangione has passed. More to come."
His attorney, Peter S. Matorin of Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP, also confirmed Mangione died at his Rochester home, in New York, on July 22.
Mangione's biggest hit was his 1978 single Feels So Good, from his album under the same name.
It became known as one of the most influential jazz records of all time.
The legendary artist won two Grammy Awards over his stellar career, one in 1977 for best instrumental composition and another in 1979 for best pop instrumental performance.
Chase The Clouds Away was performed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec.
Meanwhile, Give It All You Got was used as the theme music for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.
He was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mangione, whose real name was Charles Frank, was born in 1940 in Rochester.
He was inspired by his father, Frank, who was also a lover of Jazz music.
The artist recalled fondly childhood memories of being taken to afternoon performances at Jazz clubs.
"Their father would invite these amazing artists to come home with them for a good home-cooked Italian meal," it states on his online biography.
"Of course, they were more than happy to eat home cooking after being on the road. Chuck grew up thinking everyone had Carmen McRae and Art Blakey over for dinner."
Mangione earned a bachelor's degree from the Eastman School of Music.
He would later go back there in the role of director of the school's jazz ensemble.
Mangione embarked on his own career in the industry in the 1960s, with his brother Gap and a trumpeter from the Jazz Messengers.
Mangione shot to stardom in the late 1970s when he began working with Gerry Niewood, the renowned saxophonist.
He told the Los Angeles Times: "For a long time I lived in the shell of the so–called jazz musician, who said: 'To hell with the people. I'm the artist, I know what's right, and I'm going to play for myself. If they like it, fine; if they don't, too bad'.
"Well, that's partially true, but you can still maintain your musical conviction and try to communicate with people.
"For me, lifting the people up, making them enjoy what we're doing is as important as it is for me to play the kind of music I want to play. Both are very possible."
The star also introduced himself to a whole new audience when he appeared on the first several seasons of King of the Hill.
He played a commercial spokesman for Mega Lo Mart, where "shopping feels so good."
Mangione's funeral is to be held at the Bartolomeo & Perreto Funeral Home and will be private, according to the local outlet Rochester First.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Post a Comment