Chuck Mangione: The 'Feels So Good' Jazz Musician Has Died at 84

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The jazz world mourns the passing of one of its icons, Chuck Mangione.

The renowned musician, best known for his worldwide instrumental hit, "Feels So Good," passed away at the age of 84.

His passing left a profound mark on music history, particularly the jazz-pop genre he pioneered.

The sad news was confirmed on July 25, 2025, with Mangione passing away of natural causes.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at his home in Rochester, New York.

Mangione's family expressed their deep sorrow for his peaceful passing.

Prior to his passing, in August 2024, Primary Wave Music announced a strategic partnership with Chuck Mangione.

This partnership included the acquisition of music publishing rights and other music rights, including Mangione's greatest hits, such as "Feels So Good."

This ensures his musical legacy will live on and be enjoyed by future generations.

Charles Frank Mangione was born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, United States.

Raised by Italian parents who were avid jazz fans, his family home was a frequent gathering place for legendary musicians.

Among them were Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and Cannonball Adderley, who often stopped by and played there.

Chuck Mangione's passion for music was evident from an early age.

He began piano lessons at age eight, but later switched to the trumpet after being inspired by the film "Young Man with a Horn."

His father played a crucial role in supporting his musical talents, frequently taking him to concerts and local jazz clubs.

Dizzy Gillespie is even considered Mangione's "musical father," giving him his own "upswept" trumpet when Mangione was 15.

Mangione's formal musical education was at the Eastman School of Music from 1958 to 1963.

He earned a bachelor's degree in music education and then returned to his alma mater to teach and direct a jazz ensemble.

This experience laid a solid foundation for his illustrious musical career.

Early in his career, Chuck Mangione and his brother, Gap Mangione, formed The Jazz Brothers in 1958.

They recorded three albums for Riverside Records, showcasing their talents in the jazz scene.

In the 1960s, Mangione joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, a prestigious position previously held by such luminaries as Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard.

Chuck Mangione's peak came in 1978 with the song "Feels So Good."

Not only was the song an international jazz-pop hit, but it also reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album of the same name also reached No. 2 on the Billboard album chart, cementing his place in the global music industry.

In addition to "Feels So Good," Mangione also created other iconic works.

The song "Bellavia" (1975) earned him his first Grammy Award in 1976 for Best Instrumental Composition, a dedication to his parents.

The soundtrack album "The Children of Sanchez" (1978) also won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score.

He even composed and performed the theme song "Give It All You Got" for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, as well as "Chase the Clouds Away," which was used in the 1976 Olympic broadcast.

Throughout his career, Chuck Mangione has received numerous awards and recognition.

He is a two-time Grammy Award winner and has received 14 nominations, a testament to his extraordinary contributions to music.

In 2012, he was among the first class inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame, his hometown.

Recognition has also come from national institutions, with the Smithsonian National Museum honoring him in 2009.

In an artifact donation ceremony and on-stage discussion, the Smithsonian honored Mangione's career, artistry, and dedication to jazz education.

This demonstrates the far-reaching impact he has had beyond the live stage.

Chuck Mangione is also known to television audiences for his recurring role as himself on the popular animated series "King of the Hill."

The song "Feels So Good" has even been referenced numerous times in popular culture, appearing in TV shows like "Friends" and "The Big Bang Theory," as well as the Marvel film "Doctor Strange" (2016).

Mangione released his final album, "Everything for Love," in 2000 and officially retired in 2015, leaving behind a timeless musical legacy.