Jazz Legend Chuck Mangione Passes Away at 84

Chuck Mangione, the celebrated jazz musician whose 1977 single "Feels So Good" became a defining track of smooth jazz, has passed away at the age of 84. His attorney confirmed that Mangione died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York, on Tuesday.

With a career spanning decades, Mangione's influence extended beyond music; he also lent his voice to the animated series "King of the Hill." The flugelhorn and trumpet virtuoso had been enjoying retirement since 2015.

"Feels So Good," arguably his most iconic piece, remains a staple on smooth-jazz playlists and is often compared to the Beatles' "Michelle" in terms of recognition. The track reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the adult contemporary chart.

Reflecting on his success, Mangione remarked in a 2008 interview, "That song just topped out there and took it to a whole other level," highlighting how it connected him with a broader audience despite his established fan base.

Following this success, he composed "Give It All You Got" for the 1980 Winter Olympics, performing it during the closing ceremony at Lake Placid.

Over his prolific career, Mangione released more than 30 albums, showcasing his talents as a composer and performer. His first Grammy Award came in 1977 for "Bellavia," an album dedicated to his mother. He also received nominations for "Friends and Love" and earned a Golden Globe nomination for best original score for "The Children of Sanchez."

In addition to his musical achievements, Mangione introduced himself to a new generation through his role as a commercial spokesman for Mega Lo Mart on "King of the Hill," where he famously declared that "shopping feels so good."

A Rochester native and graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Mangione studied at the Eastman School of Music, later returning as director of the jazz ensemble. His early career was shaped by bebop influences, particularly from Dizzy Gillespie.

"He had a rapport with the audience by just telling them what he was going to play," said Mangione, reflecting on his musical journey.

Bob Sneider, a faculty member at Eastman Jazz who toured with Mangione, described him as "a larger-than-life composer" who inspired countless young musicians across various genres.

In 2009, Mangione donated significant artifacts from his career, including his signature brown felt hat and the score for "Feels So Good," to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

That same year marked a tragic moment when two of his bandmates lost their lives in the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash in Buffalo, which claimed the lives of all 40 people on board and one person on the ground.