For Smithsonian, Mangione Memorabilia 'Feels So Good'
The jazz flugelhornist and composer kicks off Jazz History Month with a donation to the National Museum of American History
- By Jeff Campagna
- Smithsonian.com, April 03, 2009, Subscribe
You might not recognize Chuck Mangione’s mega-hit “Feels So Good” by its title, but take a listen. Chances are you’ll recognize the timeless smooth jazz classic instantly. And then you’ll probably be humming it the rest of the day.
The soft-spoken American jazz flugelhornist and composer Chuck Mangione just signed away a cache of his musical memorabilia to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History yesterday. Included in the donation were his signature brown felt hat, scores to his most important works (including the Grammy-nominated single “Feels So Good,” among others), albums, photographs, and more - even an animation cell from “King of the Hill,” the television series on which Mangione has appeared as himself.
Mangione hit it big with “Feels So Good,” the smooth jazz instrumental title track from his 1977 album, which spent a week atop the Billboard adult contemporary charts. Just a few years after the track’s release, the 1980 issue of Current Biography called “Feels So Good” “the most recognized melody since The Beatles’ “Michelle.” Today “Feels So Good” remains a staple of smooth jazz radio stations everywhere.
Mangione is renowned for his melodic – yet highly proficient - style on the flugelhorn, which is slightly similar to the trumpet in appearance, but has a darker, fatter, mellower sound). “He’s got a beautiful tone on the flugelhorn (and) he’s got terrific jazz chops,” states Dr. John Edward Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. “He worked with some of the best and most demanding bands – Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Art Blakey – and has achieved popularity with an accessible, very appealing style."
Mangione received a great deal of musical encouragement from both his parents, and began taking trumpet lessons at age ten. His father exposed both Chuck and his brother Gap to many of the best jazz artists of the 1950s, including family friend Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie would join the Mangiones for spaghetti and Italian wine whenever he was in town, and would become one of Mangione’s biggest influences. “I regard him as being my musical father,” Mangione has said. A 15-year old Mangione impressed Gillespie with his playing so much that Gillespie gave him one of his trademark upswept trumpets.
Chuck and Gap began playing together in high school in a bop quintet called The Jazz Brothers, and continued to do so while Chuck attended the Eastman School of Music from 1958-1963. It was there at Eastman where Chuck first picked up the flugelhorn. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in music, Mangione picked up his trumpet and took off for New York City, freelancing with various bands, eventually joining Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers on the recommendation of Dizzy Gillespie.
Mangione later returned to Eastman as the director of the jazz ensemble from 1968 to 1972. Though he started off on the trumpet, Mangione began focusing on the flugelhorn around 1968, forming a quartet that included saxophonist/flutist Gerry Niewood. (Tragically, Mangione recently lost Niewood and another member of his band, guitarist Coleman Mellett, when Continental Airlines Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, N.Y. in February, 2009)
In 1970 at Eastman he guest-conducted the Rochester Philharmonic playing his music in concert (with Chuck on flugelhorn). This recording would go on to be the Friends and Love album, though it was “never initially intended to be an album,” just an independent release of a live performance. However, it ended up leading to a record deal with Mercury and a 1971 Grammy nomination (Best Instrumental) for “Hill Where The Lord Hides.“
The 70s were a kind decade to Chuck Mangione, as he released several well-received albums and racked up Grammy nominations. He picked up his win first in 1976 (Best Instrumental Composition) for “Bellavia,” and later a second in 1978 (Best Pop Instrumental Performance) for his soundtrack for the film The Children of Sanchez. And of course, he closed out the decade in style, releasing the aforementioned Feels So Good album in October of 1977. Led by the smash single of the same name, the album was certified platinum by April of the following year and piqued the public’s interest in jazz.
“It’s very catchy, it’s rhythmic, it’s accessible, and it’s fresh. It doesn’t sound like anything else out there. Or it didn’t at the time…It’s one of those recordings that has helped expand the audience for jazz,” says Dr. Hasse, of Mangione’s mega-hit. “One cannot even hazard a guess how many young musicians were brought into the grand hall of jazz and became players of jazz because they got hooked on that recording.”
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Comments (24)
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Never happier than when listening to Chuck playing. Cheers me up when I'm down and mellows me out out when I'm up....perfect. Thank you sir - and greetings from London England.
Posted by Anthony D M Peters on October 11,2010 | 07:10 AM
WE SAW YOU IN SACRAMENTO CA ALONG THE RIVER ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO. WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT THAT CONCERT. ARE YOU COMING THE THE WEST COAST ANYTIME SOON? MAYBE PORTLAND OR. DEWEY
Posted by DEWEY H. on September 11,2010 | 09:46 AM
Chuck, I have been listening to your music since Feels So Good came out and I have to tell that you are the best
Posted by Steve R on July 22,2010 | 11:09 PM
Chuck,
Thank you for so many things and especially for your Mother. All our prayers go out to her and your family. Undoubtedly she was a magnificent inspiration to inspire such soulful music as Bellavia. Bellavia and Land of Make Believe brought me to your music as a teen trumpeter in the early 70s. I cannot tell you how much calm and peace your music has brought me.
Your love of the flugelhorn is infectious and drew me to the instrument in college. I work in the mountains as a Biologist and took your music with me through my flugelhorn into crisp summer nights camped out in mountain meadows. I think the crickets liked it.. at least they quieted down to listen.
God bless.
Posted by Brad Ker on December 12,2009 | 03:27 AM
As a young trumpet student, I attened the Eastmen School of Music Prep. Dept. from 1967 through 1974 and heard you rehearsing on numerous occasions. I have and still do love your signature sound & style. It will live on forever. Thank you for all your contributions to our society.
Posted by Tom Anderson on November 23,2009 | 02:54 PM
Chuck music is your heart and your heart can be heard and felt in your music.
Posted by Nathan Alford, Jr. on November 18,2009 | 01:00 PM
Congratulations and thank you so much for all the years of love and music. I heard you first in 1977 when my great band teacher played your "Hill Where the Lord Hides" for me. I then became a huge fan and lover of the awesome compositions that came later. I also saw you at the Hollywood Bowl for the "Feel So Good" tour. That was a great night!! Once again - Thanks for all the Love and Music!
Posted by Daniel Salcido on November 16,2009 | 08:27 PM
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Posted by Patricia on August 31,2009 | 07:52 AM
I love Chuck Mangione! His music has a magical feel to it and he's such a fantastic musician. I heard him play in 2006 and I have to say that even though he's over 60, he still hasn't lost his touch. He sounded just as good, if not better, the he did back in the 70's. I hope that many others will learn about Chuck and get the privilage of listening to him play. You all should listen especially to Children of Sanchez as it is a masterful piece of work.
Thanks Chuck!
Posted by Logan Inman on July 24,2009 | 11:04 PM
What an honor! This is certainly well deserved. Chuck has always been one of my musical idols ever since I was eight. I have seen him play in Boston several times over the years and I met and chatted with him as well. Besides all of his solo records, especially Bellavia, his recording with Art Blakey on Buttercorn Lady has to be one of the best live recordings by the Jazz Messengers. I am still very sad over the sudden passing of Gerry Niewood. To love Chuck's music, is to love Gerry. Like Chuck, he was innovate and unique, and a sound that can never be replaced. I look forward to seeing Chuck in the New England area soon.
Posted by Andy Cook on May 20,2009 | 10:06 AM
Dear Mr. Mangione: I wish that I could express in words how much joy and inspiration your music has brought me through the years. I still remember being about 5 or 6 years old and listening to the "Fun and Games" album over and over again with those huge headphones that practically swallowed me head. I loved it!!! Even at that age I could appreciate your great gifts. I love that you are such an humble, down to earth person, who clearly has a beautiful heart. I'm grateful to God for the gifts he has given you, and that you share it with all of us so graciously. I hope that your fans have given just a fraction of that love back to you over the years. I finally got a chance to see you live at Sambuca in Dallas in 2007. I'm looking forward to my trip to NY to see you again at The Blue Note in July. There's nothing like actually watching you make the magic. You are a living legend, and I'm glad the Smithsonian now has a piece of you. (Still love the hat!!!) Also, my sincere condolences on the loss of your friends and band members. I know that you and Gerry go all the way back to your childhood years. Know that prayers are going up for you and their families. May God continue to bless and keep you!!!
Posted by Trevelyn O on May 2,2009 | 04:58 PM
Hi Chuck,
I was at Eastman 1960-62 and you seemed to be a legend there already then. I knew nothing of jazz then but I did like listening to you. Later I married a jass buff who managed to get you to sign one of your albums when you were in Los Angeles many years ago and gave it to me as a gift. You have continued to grace our jazz collection ever since.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments. I applaud your donation to the Smithsonian.
Posted by Susan Gersbacher on April 21,2009 | 08:55 PM
Chuck, congratulations and thank you for your inspiration to young jazz musicians across America. My wife and I have been attending your concerts for thirty years..saw you at Millersville University and recently in Atlantic City....I hope to catch one of your gigs with a full orchestra...Come back to southern Pennsylvania soon!
Posted by Ed Hoffman on April 18,2009 | 10:32 PM
Chuck, I've been to at least 20 concerts, you are truly the best. How about a Chuck and Gap Big Band CD !! Keep Honkin.... JD
Posted by Joe D on April 13,2009 | 11:13 AM
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