In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the personal life, family, and passing of Chuck Mangione—the legendary American flugelhorn player, trumpeter, and composer.
Known for his smooth jazz-pop sound and global hit “Feels So Good,” Mangione rose to fame in the 1960s with Art Blakey’s band and later with his brother Gap in the Jazz Brothers. Over his decades-long career, he released more than 30 albums and even made TV appearances, including a recurring role on King of the Hill.
Let’s explore the life behind the music, focusing on his loved ones and the circumstances of his death.
Early Life & Family Background
Chuck Mangione was born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, to Italian-American parents who loved jazz and ran a local grocery store. Music was part of his life from a young age—he first took piano lessons in elementary school but switched to trumpet after being inspired by the film Young Man with a Horn.
He and his older brother Gap, a talented pianist, formed a band while still in high school. The Mangione brothers later played with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, laying the foundation for Chuck’s future in music.
Death Date & Reason
Chuck Mangione has died at 84, TMZ reports. pic.twitter.com/e3pYRTQvzd
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 24, 2025
Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning American flugelhorn and trumpet player famous for the smooth jazz classic “Feels So Good,” was born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, to music-loving Italian-American parents who ran a local grocery store.
His father often hosted jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey at home, fostering a deep love for music in both Chuck and his brother Gap
Mangione formed a high school band with Gap and later went on to collaborate with major jazz icons before rising to fame in the 1970s
Mangione passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2025, at his home in Rochester, aged 84
His family said he remained joyful, passionate, and connected to his audience throughout his life, often spending extra time signing autographs after shows.
Wife & Children
Chuck Mangione was a devoted father of two daughters, Nancy Mangione Piraino and Diana Mangione Smith, from his marriage to Rosemarie Mangione, who passed away in 2015. Despite his high profile in the music world, he valued his family’s privacy and rarely shared details about his personal life.
Career Details
Chuck Mangione’s music career took off in the 1960s when he played trumpet with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, following greats like Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard. Along with his brother Gap, he formed the Mangione Brothers Sextet and released albums on the Riverside Records label.
He later studied at Eastman School of Music and began playing the flugelhorn, which became his signature instrument. In the 1970s, Mangione gained huge popularity with his smooth jazz hits like “Feels So Good,” which became a rare instrumental chart success.
His music was featured in the Olympics and won him multiple Grammy Awards. He also composed film soundtracks, including The Children of Sanchez. Beyond music, Mangione appeared in TV shows like Magnum, P.I. and voiced himself in King of the Hill, where he became a fan-favourite character.
Net Worth, Ethnicity & Religion
Chuck Mangione was an American musician who had an estimated net worth of around $10 million at the time of his death.
He earned most of his wealth through his successful music career, especially from hit albums like Feels So Good and film soundtracks.
Mangione was of Italian descent and took pride in his heritage. In terms of religion, he was raised in a Christian household, though he kept his personal beliefs private and mostly stayed focused on music throughout his public life.
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