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Click here to see Chuck Mangione @ the St. Lucia Jazz Festival , 1997.

29 November 1940 – 22 July 2025

Celebrated trumpeter and composer Chuck Mangione passed away in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York.

‘I remember his performance at the the St. Lucia Jazz Festival 1997. I briefly spoke with him the day after his performance and felt I had a greater understanding of the man behind the trumpet. He was very quiet and extremely shy on and off stage, yet he still had the power to move people with his clear, understated and honest tone on stage. A very nice man indeed.’

Robin Francis C/o Michael Valentine Studio

New York born Chuck Mangione began playing piano at an early age. Though his family was not necessarily musical, he and his brother Gap Mangione were constantly listening to music from the radio in their father’s grocer store. After being prompted to choose a band instrument at school and watching the film ‘Young Man With A Horn’, Chuck decided to switch to the trumpet.

Chuck first came to the forefront playing the trumpet with The Jazz Brothers band, where he performed with his older brother. His style has been likened to his main influence and mentor Dizzy Gillespie.

Chuck eventually explored other avenues with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers following in the footsteps of players such as Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, Bill Hardman, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard.

The album ‘Land Of Make Believe’ was released on the Mercury record label before signing to the A&M label, which delivered ‘Chase The Clouds Away’ and ‘Bellavia’ (“beautiful way”), which won Mangione his first Grammy award.

The late 1970’s saw Chuck release ‘The Children Of Sanchez’ soundtrack, which won him a second Grammy award. The hit album and single ‘Feels So Good’ was released soon after.

After many successful projects in the1980’s, Chuck signed with Columbia records, which spawned several albums including ‘Eyes Of the Veiled Temptress’, which contained the slow jam classic ‘Do you ever think about me’. Chuck then decided to take a three-year break from listening and playing music. He returned to the musical arena in 1994 writing and recording new material for forthcoming releases.

Chuck Mangione was also familiar to millions for his recurring role playing himself on the animated hit series “King of the Hill.”