Chuck Mangione American jazzman, trumpeter Date of Birth: 29.11.1940 Country: USA

Chuck Mangione - Biography

Chuck Mangione, an American jazz musician and trumpeter, is best known for his leadership of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and his collaborations with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 10 and later formed a group called the Jazz Brothers with his pianist brother, Gap. The group signed with Riverside Records and recorded several albums.

Mangione credits his godfather, Dizzy Gillespie, as a major influence in his musical career. He recalls Gillespie visiting his family and being taken to jazz concerts by his father, who was a music enthusiast. From 1958 to 1963, Mangione studied at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in New York and later joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, where he played alongside renowned jazz musicians such as Clifford Brown, Kenny Dorham, Bill Hardman, and Lee Morgan.

In the late 1960s, Mangione could be heard playing the trumpet with the group called The National Gallery, participating in the recording of the album "Performing Musical Interpretations of the Paintings of Paul Klee". Apart from his involvement in various projects, Mangione gained recognition for his leadership of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and his collaborations with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

During the 1970s, Mangione's quartet, featuring saxophonist Gerry Niewood, became popular. In 1977, he won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, and his composition "Feels So Good" achieved international success. The 1970s were considered the peak of Mangione's career, with his compositions "Chase the Clouds Away" being used as the theme music for the televised broadcasts of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, and "Give It All You Got" being featured in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.

In 1978, Mangione worked on the soundtracks for the film "The Children of Sanchez", which won him another Grammy Award. Throughout his career, Mangione has released over thirty albums, including notable recordings such as "The Jazz Brothers" (1960), "Land Of Make Believe" (1972), and "Love Notes" (1982).

Sadly, in February 2009, two members of Mangione's group, Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, died in a plane crash in Buffalo, New York. Despite the tragedy, Mangione continued to perform and embarked on a concert tour in the 1990s, reminding his fans of his enduring musical talent.

Mangione's light, melodic, and non-aggressive trumpet playing style continues to attract a large audience of pop-jazz enthusiasts.