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Jazz Legend Chuck Mangione Dies Peacefully at 84, Leaving a Lasting Musical Legacy
July 27, 2025 — Rochester, NY — Jazz icon Chuck Mangione, known for his smooth flugelhorn style and crossover hit “Feels So Good”, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2025, at the age of 84 in his Rochester, New York home.
Born Charles Frank Mangione on November 29, 1940, Mangione became a beloved figure in both jazz and pop music. His warm, melodic sound bridged genres, making him a household name in the 1970s and beyond. His 1978 single “Feels So Good” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and propelled his album to double platinum status.
Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Mangione collaborated with legends like Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and performed at iconic venues—including Yankee Stadium, where he combined his love of music and baseball.
A proud Rochester native, Mangione chose to remain rooted in his hometown. He lived humbly behind his family’s former grocery store, composed many of his works there, and participated regularly in local benefit events. His 1980 earthquake relief concert for Italy remains one of his most cherished philanthropic moments.
Mangione is survived by his daughters Nancy Pirino and Diana Smith, his brother Gap Mangione, and a large extended family. His private funeral was held in Rochester, as per his wishes, with fans worldwide honoring his life through music and memories.
Estimated to have a net worth of $10 million at his passing, Mangione’s wealth reflected decades of recording, touring, and licensing, though he remained modest and focused on community.
Mangione’s musical legacy—marked by emotion, melody, and heart—will continue to resonate across generations. As Rochester’s mayor said, “The beauty of our city lives in the notes that will forever be Mangione’s legacy.”
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