Chuck Mangione is an acclaimed American flugelhorn player, composer, and bandleader known for his smooth blend of jazz, pop, and classical influences. Born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York, Mangione gained early recognition as a gifted musician, studying at the Eastman School of Music. He first came into prominence in the 1960s as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, where he played alongside other jazz greats.