CHIELI MINUCCI – BIOGRAPHIES
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SHORT BIO
Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for over 40 years.
In the summer of 2024, “Cool Summer”, reached the #1 spot on Billboard, a total of 5 charts simultaneously!
Chieli has also recently released 3 brand new projects – “Return to Budapest With Love”, the archived, 1990 live concert recording of Special EFX from their early days on tour in Europe, solo project, and mainly acoustic “Someone’s Singing”, as well as his 40th anniversary Special EFX CD, “Twenty Twenty 2” (both ChieliMusic). Chieli & Special EFX’s previous release saw title track, “Deep as the Night”, win Billboard Magazine’s 2018 top honors, best-song-of-the-year.
Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Marc Anthony, Michael Bolton, Rupert Holmes, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Anastasia, as well as contemporary jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others. Although renowned in the jazz and pop world, Chieli is also a gifted television and film composer. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films No Country for Old Men, Bowfinger, Legally Blonde, Panic, and others. Chieli’s original scoring work can be heard in live stage productions of Peter Pan, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others.
Special EFXMusic.com
The official Chieli Minucci website
Additional biographical and discography information can be viewed at:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chieli-minucci-mn0000113409/credits
International Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1474265
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chieli_Minucci
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FULL BIO
Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for more than 40 years.
In the summer of 2024, “Cool Summer”, reached the #1 spot on 5 charts simultaneously!
#1 on Billboard (2 weeks)
#1 on Mediabase
#1 on RadioWave/Groove Jazz
#1 on Beats
#1 on SmoothJazz.com Airplay
Recently Chieli has released 3 brand new projects – “Return to Budapest With Love”, the archived, 1990 live concert recording of Special EFX from their early days on tour in Europe, solo project, and mainly acoustic “Someone’s Singing”, as well as his 40th anniversary Special EFX CD, “Twenty Twenty 2” (both ChieliMusic). Chieli & Special EFX’s previous release saw title track, “Deep as the Night”, win Billboard Magazine’s 2018 top honors, best-song-of-the-year.
Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Michael Bolton, Rupert Holmes, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Anastasia, as well as contemporary jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others. Although renowned in the jazz and pop world, Chieli is also a gifted television and film composer. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films Bowfinger, No Country for Old Men Legally Blonde, Panic, and others. Chieli’s original scoring work can be heard in live stage productions of Peter Pan, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others.
Chieli comes from a musical background. His father, Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the American songbook standard, and 1955 hit song, “Domani” (sung by Julius LaRosa as well as Bing Crosby), as well as “A Thousand Thoughts of You,” and “Felicia” (both sung by Nat King Cole).
Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci has won three Emmy Awards, in 1998, 2007, and 2008, and in addition has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards for his eclectic compositional work on CBS’s “The Guiding Light”, which holds the record as the longest running TV show in American history. He has written music for well-known programs such as Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, Good Morning America (theme), Bloomberg Radio (theme), Access Hollywood, The 700 Club, and others. He also contributed music to the soundtracks of Bowfinger (1999 Universal), Legally Blonde (2001 MGM), and Panic (2000 Artisan).
International Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1474265
Minucci composed and produced the soundtracks for the Broadway Across America/Nickelodeon live stage productions of the international hit TV series, Dora the Explorer (Dora’s Pirate Adventure, The City of Lost Toys, and Return to the City of Lost Toys), all of which toured. He also wrote and recorded original songs for the live stage production of Thomas & Friends Live™, (both Thomas Saves The Day! and A Circus Comes to Town). Most recently he has contributed to the score of Peter Pan 360 (Herrick Entertainment/Threesixty Entertainment), which premiered in June of 2015.
In August 2012, Prof. Chieli Minucci joined Beijing’s DeTao Masters Academy
as a DeTao Master of Modern Music.
http://www.detaoma.com/en/about/621901.htm
Working Experience
• The leader & co-founder of the famous American contemporary world fusion band, “Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci”.
Education
• Attended Ithaca College in upstate NY, where he initially majored in music, studying classical guitar, and continued as an English Major. He also attended Queens College in NYC, where he continued to study literature.
Honors and Awards
• Grammy nomination for “Modern Manners” – Chieli Minucci & Special EFX
• Winner of three Emmy Awards (1998, 2007, 2008) CBS’s “The Guiding Light”
• Nominated for 10 Daytime Emmy Awards for his compositional work on CBS’s “The Guiding Light”
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DISCOGRAPHY
Chieli Minucci, Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci – CDs/DVDs
Cool Summer (2024 ChieliMusic)
Return to Budapest With Love (2024 Gramy-H Records)
Twenty Twenty 2 (2022 ChieliMusic)
All Stars (2020 Trippin N Rhythm)
Deep as the Night (2017 Trippin N Rhythm)
Without You (2010 ChieliMusic)
Genesis (2013 Shanachie)
Sweet Surrender (2007 Shanachie)
A Night With Chieli Minucci & Special EFX (2006 Shanachie)
Party (2003 Shanachie)
Butterfly (2001 Shanachie)
Masterpiece (1999 Shanachie)
Body Language (1995 JVC)
Catwalk (1994 JVC)
Play (1993 JVC)
Collection (1993 GRP/Verve)
Global Village (1992 GRP/Verve)
Peace Of The World (1991 GRP/Verve)
Just Like Magic (1990 GRP/Verve)
Confidential (1989 GRP/Verve)
Double Feature (1988 GRP/Verve)
Mystique (1987 GRP/Verve)
Slice Of Life (1986 GRP/Verve)
Modern Manners (1985 GRP/Verve)
Special EFX (1984 GRP/Verve)
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ARTIST/PRODUCER – Chieli Minucci CDs
Someone’s Singing (2022 ChieliMusic)
Got It Goin’ On (2005 Shanachie)
Night Grooves (2003 Shanachie)
Sweet On You (2002 Shanachie)
It’s Gonna Be Good (1998 JVC)
Renaissance (2009 & 1996 JVC)
Jewels (1995 JVC)
Travels (2009 Watchfire Music)
East Of The Sun (2009 Watchfire Music)
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Smooth Jazz: Pure Pleasure Shanachie/1999
Flavors Of Jazz JVC/1997
Musicland & GRP: Got What’s Hot In Jazz GRP/1992
The GRP Album GRP/2001
Jay Beckenstein “Sunrise” & “Lookin’ Up” Windham Hill/2000
from Eye Contact
Windham Hill A Jazz Noel 1999
“Magic” & “Joyous”
The Very Best Of Smooth Jazz Guitar Shanachie/1998
“Anything & Everything”
GRP Christmas Volume 1 GRP/1988
Collection
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PRODUCER/GUITARIST
Traysee Leonard
The Sax Therapist – 2021 ZatJazz Records
Lao Tizer
Passages – Yse Records/2009
Golden Soul – Frathouse Records/2001
Short Play – LA Sound/1997
Jay Beckenstein
‘Sunrise’ – Windham Hill/2000
‘Looking Up’
‘I’ve Been Waiting’
Rick Rhodes
Now You See It, Now You Don’t – Polystar/1994
Indian Summer – Polystar/1995
Deep in the Night – Beanbag/1998
Kim Pensyl
Eyes Of Wonder
GRP/1992
Deborah Henson-Conant
The Art Of Harp (Vol. 1) – International Harp Festival 1996
Caught In The Act – GRP/1990
Talking Hands – GRP/1991
Budapest – White Cat/Unity/1992
Heather Mullen
Heather Mullen
Eastwest/1992
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RECORDING CREDITS
Maysa
Music For Your Soul
Spirit (Blue Velvet Soul Records 2023)
Gregory Abbott
Whisper the Words featuring Chieli Minucci
(Whisper the Words 2023)
Jason Jackson
Daybreak (MBF Entertainment 2024)
All In (Jason Jackson Music 2023)
– Midnight Ride
Tommy Davidson
Kid Zero (TBR 2022-2023)
Michael J Thomas
Here’s Another Ditty (2022)
John Favicchia
Kukuc 2020 (Distrokid 2020)
John Smalta
Prayer (You are the Vision) (2020)
The Smooth Jazz Alley
Let’s Ride (The Smooth Jazz Alley 2020)
– Tidal
Oli Silk
6 (Trippin N Rhythm 2020)
– Meet Me in the Middle
Gary Honor
Momentum (Trippin N Rhythm 2021)
– The Pulse
Nicolas Cole
The Weekend (Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm 2019)
– Soulmate
Althea Rene
Unstoppable (2017 Althea Rene Productions)
– Now & Forever
Lao Tizer
Songs From the Swinghouse – 2017
Downbeat – JLK Productions/2012
Tizer Live – Yse Records/2010
Passages – Yse Records/2009
Diversify – Yse Records/2006
Golden Soul – Frathouse Records/2001
Short Play – LA Sound/1997
Bob Baldwin
Mellowonder: Songs in the Key of Stevie (City Sketches Records 2015)
– The Real Thing/Keepin’ It Real
– Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing
Never Can Say Goodbye (2010)
– She’s Out of My Life
Lookin’ Back (NuGroove 2009)
– The Way She Looked at Me
The American Spirit: A Smooth Jazz Celebration (Shanachie 2002)
– America The Beautiful
– Star Spangled Banner
The Omar Hakim Experience
We Are One (OzMosis Records 2014)
– Transmigration
– Carpe Diem
– With Every Breath
– Remember to Remember
– Walk the Walk
– So There
– Listen Up!
– Molasses Run
– Forever Run
Arshak Sirunyen
Hoodman’s Blind (2014)
Jim Peterik
Forces at Play (World Stage International 2013)
– Forces at Play
– Slither
Celine Dion
A New Day Has Come (Sony 2002)
– When The Wrong One Loves You Right
– A New Day Has Come
These Are Special Times (550 Music/Epic 1998)
– Christmas Eve
– Happy Xmas (War is Over)
One Heart (Sony 2003)
– Reveal
– I Know What Love Is
Collector’s Series, Vol. 1 (Sony 2000)
The Essential Celine Dion (2011)
My Love: Essential Collection (2008)
Les Paul and Friends: Tribute To A Legend
(Immergent 2008)
Donna Summer
I Will (Sony 2003)
Lionel Richie
Encore (Island Mercury 2002)
– To Love A Woman
Jennifer Lopez
On the 6 (Columbia/Work 1999)
– Promise Me You’ll Try
Dance Again – The Hits (2012)
Marc Anthony
Mended (Columbia 2002)
– Tragedy
Jessica Simpson
Irresistible (Sony 2001)
– A Little Bit
Backstreet Boys
Millennium (Jive/Zomba 1999)
– I Need You Tonight
Linda Ciofalo
Dancing With Johnny (2010)
Paula Atherton
Groove With Me ( Dream On Records 2009)
– Block Party
Rick Nichols
Project Synchrony (Linking Point 2008)
Robbie Kumalo
Music is My Friend (2007)
Peter Primamore
Grancia 2006
Jenny Burton
Jenny Burton Experience (2005)
The Jenny Burton Experience (Voiceworks 1995)
Anastacia
Freak Of Nature (Epic 2001)
– How Come the World Won’t Stop
– You’ll Never Be Alone
– One Day in Your Life
Not That Kind (Sony 1999)
– Wishing Well
Pieces of a Dream, Anastacia’s Greatest Hits (Sony 2005)
Nestor Torres
The Very Best of Nestor Torres (Shanachie 2007)
My Latin Soul (Shanachie 2002)
– Smooth
– Hero
Philip Hamilton
Blues, Rhythm, Rhythm & Blues (2004)
Kevin Toni
Strut (Shanachie 2001)
John Favicchia
Dharma (Fav Music 2001)
True Vibe
True Vibe (Essential/Zomba 2001)
David Mann
Touch (Encoded 2001)
Tin Tin Out
Anybody’s’ Guess (Virgin 2000)
Celeste
This Is Your Life (Ministry Of Sound/UK 1999)
Carman
Heart of a Champion (Sparrow/ EMI Christian Group 2000)
– Jesus Period
– Heart of a Champion
– Prayer
Garden Party – An Instrumental Tribute to Steelye Dan
No Static At All (Gold Circle Entertainment 2000)
– Josie (w/ Dave Koz)
Rosie O’Donnell
A Rosie Christmas (Columbia 1999)
– Winter Wonderland” (with Donny Osmond)
Club 1600
1600 (Encoded/N2K 2000)
– Stay
Samantha Sima
Identity (Genie Entertainment 2000)
Tre-O
Music of the Heart (Epic 1999)
– Seventeen
Tom Browne
R ‘N’ Browne (Hip Bop 1999)
– The Wind Cries Mary
– UnBreak My Heart
Giselle d’Cole
Giselle D’Cole (Sony/Disco 1999)
– Revancha de Amor
Jewel
Joy: A Holiday Collection (Atlantic 1999)
– O Holy Night
– Silent Night
Mya
(Caliente/Atlantic 1999)
Gerald Veasley
Love Letters (Heads Up 1999)
– Hypnotize
Marion Meadows
Pleasure (Sire/Discovery 1998)
– Unbreak My Heart
Bakithi Kumalo
San Bonan (Siam 1998)
Russell Gunn
Ethnomusicology – Vol. 1) (Atlantic 1998)
– Doll
Ginette Reno
Love Is All (Attic Records Limited 1998)
Mercedes Hall
Somewhere In Town (1998)
Sola
Haunts (Also Productions 1998)
LaChanze Love (2009)
Nicole Renee
Nicole Renee (Atlantic 1998)
– Memorabilia
Armsted Christian – The Wave Is Coming (Siam 1998)
– Be On Your Way
– In the Morning
Will Downing – Invitation Only (Mercury 1997)
– These Things
Slim Mann – Secret Rendezvous (Encoded 1997)
Angela Bofill – Love in Slow Motion (Shanachie 1996)
– Sail Away
– Are You Leaving Me Now
– Soul of Mine
Chaka Khan
Epiphany: The Best Of Chaka Khan (Warner Bros 1996)
– Your Love Is All I Know
Voyeur
(Boulevard Columbia 1996)
Lionel Hampton
For the Love of Music (Mo Jazz 1996)
– Jazz Me
E.Y.C.
I Feel It (MCA 1996)
– In The Beginning
Billy Mann
Billy Mann (A&M 1996)
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson (JVC 1994)
Mavis Staple
The Voice (Warner Bros./Paisley Park 1993)
– All Because of You
Christoph Spendel
Cool Street (TCB 1993)
Noel Pointer
Never Lose Your Heart (Shanachie/Cachet 1993)
Bemshi
Woman Child (Capitol 1992)
Gabor Kristof
The Fast Lane (Champagne 1989)
The Omar Hakim Experience
We Are One (2014)
Rhythm Love (GRP 1989)
Roberta Flack
Oasis (Atlantic 1988)
– (His Name) Brazil
Lala
Lala (Arista 1987)
The Bellestars
World Domination (MCA/Stiff 1986)
Cheryl Lynn
It’s Gonna Be Alright (CBS 1985)
Chris Hinze
Saliah (Keytone 1984)
High Fashion
Make Up Your Mind (Capitol/EMI 1983)
– You Satisfy My Needs
Change
This Is Your Time (Atlantic/RFC 1983)
– Don’t Wait Another Night
The B.B.Q. Band
Six Million Times (Capitol/EMI 1983)
All Night Long (Capitol/EMI 1982)
Compilations
Various Artists Guitar Fire!: GRP Gold Encore… (1983)
Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler, Vol. 1 (1984)
Various Artists GRP Christmas Collection (1988)
Various Artists KBLX – The Quiet Storm (1988)
Various Artists WNUA 95.5: Smooth Sounds, Vol. 1
Various Artists WQCD: Cool Sounds of CD 101.9, Vol… (1988)
Various Artists GRP: On the Cutting Edge (1989)
Various Artists KIFM: Smooth Sounds of San Diego,… (1989)
Various Artists WNUA 95.5: Smooth Sounds, Vol. 2 (1990)
Various Artists WQCD: Cool Sounds of CD 101.9, Vol… (1990)
Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler: On the… (1991)
Various Artists KIFM: Smooth Sounds of San Diego,… (1991)
Various Artists WCDJ: GRP Presents CD 96.9 -… (1991)
Various Artists WHVE: The Wave (1991)
Various Artists GRP 10th Anniversary Collection (1992)
Various Artists Smooth Sounds of Quiet, Vol. 2 (1992)
Various Artists Music Land & GRP: Got What’s Hot… (1992)
Various Artists World of Contemporary Jazz Groups (1993)
Various Artists Flavors of Jazz (1997)
Various Artists Hip Bop’N Smooth (1999)
Various Artists Jazz Noel (1999)
Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Pure Pleasure (1999)
Various Artists Club 1600 (2000) Guitar
Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Sexual Healing (2000)
Various Artists Smooth Jazz Number Ones (2000)
Various Artists 102.5 the Wave
Various Artists GRP New Magic Digital Sampler, Vol…
Various Artists GRP Digital Sampler, Vol. 2
Various Artits Music for the New Millennium (2000)
Various Artists Satin Doll: Smooth Jazz Plays Duke (2001)
Various Artists Smooth Jazz: The Quiet Storm (2001)
Various Artists Smooth Jazz: Sweet Love (2002)
My Kind Of Jazz Sheer Sound (South Africa 2002)
A Taste of Pop Jazz (Pop Jazz)
Various Artists The best of Jazzin’ Around – Sheer Sound
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ARRANGING CREDITS
Jay Beckenstein
Eye Contact (Windham Hill/2000)
“Sunrise” & “Lookin’ Up”
Patrick “Patches” Stewart
Penetration (Hip Bop 1998)
remixes & edits
Spyro Gyra
“Ariana” from Love & Other Obsessions (GRP 1995)
“Heart Of The Night” (GRP 1996)
“Ariana” from Retrospective (GRP 1997)
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SOUNDTRACKS, FILM, & TELEVISION
Firehouse Dog (2007)
“Lady Is A Vamp” (Minucci/Kallins/Skinner)
Todd Holland – director
No Country For Old Men (2007)
“Deep Cry” (Minucci/Kallins)
The Coen Brothers – directors
Legally Blonde (2001)
“Perfect Day”
Bowfinger (1999)
“Super Smooth” (C. Minucci/M. Kallins)
Frank Oz – director
Snake Eyes (1998)
“Fiesta Mexicana”
Brian DePalma
One of the primary composers, and 3 time Emmy Award recipient, since 1999, for the CBS daytime drama,
Guiding Light. Has composed over 700 individual cues.
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STAGE
Most recently has contributed to the score of Peter Pan 360 (Herrick Entertainment/Threesixty Entertainment), which premiered in June of 2015.
Composed and produced the soundtrack for the 2003-2015 Clear Channel/Nickolodeon live tour productions of the hit TV series, Dora the Explorer.
– Dora’s Pirate Adventure
– The City of Lost Toys
– Storytime Adventures
Chieli has written and recorded the soundtrack for the smash hit Themestar stage production of the long-running British kid’s TV show, Thomas & Friends Live! – Thomas Saves The Day!
Composed background music, since 1997, for As The World Turns, and Another World,
scoring over 400 individual cues.
ABC-TV The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000)
“Surf and Turf”
HBO
“Watch Out HBO” (2000)
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SOUNDTRACKS
Performed as guitarist on:
American Made (Imagine Entertainment/Cross Creek Pictures 2017)
(starring Tom Cruise)
Uptown Girls (MGM/2003)
(starring Brittany Murphy)
Double Platinum (Arif Mardin/1999)
starring Diana Ross & Brandy
(TV movie)
Clean & Narrow (Showtime 1999)
Jimmy Webb- composer
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney 1996)
starring Bette Midler
Ishtar (Columbia 1987)
Dave Grusin-composer
starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman
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MUSIC LIBRARY PRODUCTION
Gotham Library/Firstcom (distributed by Universal Music)
As one of the chief staff-writers for this longtime music production library, Minucci composed, recorded, and performed more than 150 individual CDs for Gotham Music between 1998 till present. These compositions have appeared in countless television and radio programs, advertising jingles, as well as in major motion pictures.
www.firstcom.com
Composed the main station IDs for Bloomberg News, NYC (2019 – present)
Composed all the music, including the main station IDs for Bloomberg Radio, NYC (2000-2001)
Sound Ideas/Westar Music Library
Over The Edge (2002)
X-Treme Sports 2 (2002)
Manhattan Silhouette (2001)
Sex & Romance (2001)
Neon Nights (1999)
Second Cup (1999)
De Wolfe Music
Latin Power (1999)
Smooth Jazz #4
Killer Tracks
The 60’s Vol. 1 (1997)
Firstcom
American Dream Vol. 2 (1996)
Lifestyles (1995)
American Dream (1994)
