London/Rochester, NY – July 27, 2025 –

The jazz community is in mourning this week following the passing of two giants: British jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, who died at the age of 97, and two-time Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player Chuck Mangione, who passed away at 84. Their deaths mark the end of an era for a genre they both profoundly influenced, even as the broader entertainment industry undergoes a significant transformation with the FCC’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger.

Dame Cleo Laine: A Voice Like No Other

Dame Cleo Laine, widely regarded as Britain’s greatest jazz voice, passed away peacefully at her home in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, on Thursday, July 24th, at the age of 97. Her death was announced by The Stables, the charity and venue she co-founded with her late husband, renowned jazz musician Sir John Dankworth.

Born Clementine Dinah Hitching in Middlesex in 1927, Laine’s career spanned over six decades and crossed genres, showcasing her extraordinary four-octave vocal range and mastery of scat singing. She sang the works of Kurt Weill and Robert Schumann, performed on stage and screen, and even famously played God in a production of Benjamin Britten’s “Noye’s Fludde.”

Laine’s life and art were inextricably linked with Sir John Dankworth, who gave her a job in his band in 1951 and later became her husband. They both continued to perform well into their 80s, a testament to their enduring passion for music. In 1997, Laine made history as the first British jazz artist to be made a Dame, the female equivalent of a knight. She was a Grammy Award winner and received numerous other accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Recording Industry. Cleo Laine is survived by her son and daughter.

Chuck Mangione: “Feels So Good” and Beyond

The jazz world also said goodbye to Chuck Mangione, the acclaimed trumpeter, flugelhorn player, and composer, who died peacefully in his sleep at his Rochester, New York home on Tuesday, July 22nd. He was 84.

Mangione, a two-time Grammy Award winner, achieved international fame with his jazz-flavored single “Feels So Good” in 1977, a track that became a staple on smooth jazz radio stations and is still instantly recognizable today. Born in Rochester in 1940, Mangione began his musical journey at a young age, forming “The Jazz Brothers” with his pianist brother, Gap. He gained prominence as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the 1960s.

Beyond his musical career, Mangione was also known for his recurring voice role as himself on the animated sitcom “King of the Hill,” further cementing his place in popular culture. He was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Mangione had been retired since 2015.

FCC Greenlights Paramount-Skydance Merger

In significant news for the media industry, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially approved the highly anticipated $8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. The decision, passed by a 2-1 vote on Thursday, July 24th, clears the final regulatory hurdle for a deal that has faced months of scrutiny and wrangling.

The approval sees the transfer of broadcast licenses for 28 CBS-owned television stations to the new entity. The FCC’s green light came after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump concerning a 2020 “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump claimed was deceptively edited. While CBS denied the allegations, the settlement was reportedly made to avoid further delays to the merger.

Crucial to gaining FCC approval were assurances from Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and his investment partner RedBird Capital, that the new management would ensure unbiased journalism at the CBS broadcast network. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, welcomed Skydance’s commitment to “make significant changes” at CBS and to ensure programming embodies “a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.”

With the merger now officially approved, David Ellison will take the helm as chairman and CEO of the newly combined company, while former NBCUniversal boss Jeff Shell will serve as president. The deal marks a new chapter for one of America’s most iconic media brands, promising significant changes in the landscape of entertainment and news.