Chieli Minucci

Chieli Minucci
Background information
Birth name	Gian Chieli Minucci
Born	(1958-04-17) April 17, 1958 Huntington, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, world fusion, smooth jazz, new age
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer, producer
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1982–present
Labels	GRP, JVC, Shanachie, Keytone
Associated acts	Special EFX
Website	www.chielimusic.com

Chieli Minucci (born April 17, 1958 in New York, New York^[1] is an American guitarist known as the leader of the Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group Chielli Minucci & Special EFX.^[2]

Biography and Career

His father, Ulpio Minucci, was a concert pianist and composer who wrote the music to the 1955 hit song "Domani,"^[3] as well as "A Thousand Thoughts of You," and "Felicia" (both sung by Nat King Cole).

Minucci with George Jinda & Special EFX have recorded over 26 CDs, 8 of them solo releases.^[4] He has recorded and performed with pop music artists such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson, and Anastacia as well as jazz artists Roseanna Vitro,^[5] Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torres, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Nick Colionne, Omar Hakim and Bob Baldwin.^[6]

Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci has won three Emmy Awards, in 1998, 2007,^[7] and 2008, and has been nominated for 10 Emmy Awards for his eclectic compositional work on CBS’s Guiding Light,^[8] 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 No Country For Old Men (2007 Paramount), Bowfinger (1999 Universal), Legally Blonde (2001 MGM), and Panic (2000).^[8]

Minucci is known as a composer for television and film and has been nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards. He won awards in 1998, 2007, and 2008 for The Guiding Light. He has written music for Good Morning America (theme), Bloomberg Radio (theme), Access Hollywood, and The 700 Club.

Minucci composed and produced the soundtrack for the Live Nation/Nickelodeon live stage productions of the hit TV series, Dora the Explorer (both Dora's Pirate Adventure and The City of Lost Toys). He also wrote and recorded songs for the live stage production of the British children's television show, Thomas & Friends Live! – Thomas Saves The Day! and A Circus Comes to Town.

Minucci's Kickin' it Hard is featured as the hold music on Verizon's conference audio bridge system.

Awards and honors

• Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series, Daytime Emmy Awards, The Guiding Light, 1999, 2007, 2008^[8]

Discography

Cheili Minucci With Special EFX

Solo

Video Albums

Credits

Producer/guitarist

As guest

TV and movie soundtracks

Stage

• Composed and produced the soundtrack for the live tour productions of Dora's Pirate Adventure, The City of Lost Toys, Storytime Adventures, 2003–2015
• Contributed to the score of Peter Pan, 2005
• Wrote and recorded soundtrack for "Thomas Saves the Day", Thomas & Friends Live, 2007

Music library production

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References

External links

• Chieli Minucci Official site
• Chieli Minucci on IMDb