Chuck Mangione played at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center to cap off a High School Band competition. Brookfield Central won but MF and Hamilton were not participating.

Mangione can be credited (or cursed depending on your opinion) for pioneering the “Smooth Jazz” genre of music. He composed and played beautiful jazz that was accessible to a whole new generation of music lovers. He wasn’t Miles Davis but he probably opened Miles’ music to an audience that may have passed it by.

I had lost touch with Mangione’s music for a long time but was still impressed by the quality of some old favorites such as “Land of Make Believe” and “Bellavia.” The sound was excellent and the band very tight.

Mangione recalled playing “Children of Sanchez” in Poland and at the completion of the song; people stood, wept, put their hands over their hearts, and cheered with all their might. It was a musician’s dream until he later learned the song was the designated anthem of Poland’s democracy movement. Still, a very cool tribute to the composer.

The program notes also boasted: “A 1980 issue of Current Biography called "Feels So Good" the most recognized tune since "Michelle" by The Beatles. Recently, smooth jazz stations throughout the United States have recognized Mangione's "Feels So Good" as their all-time number one song.”

My wife and I took our trumpet playing son and friend to the concert and were delighted to find them both tapping their feet and paying close attention to the musicians. Next stop: Miles Davis.