Chieli Minucci is an American adult contemporary, smooth jazz guitarist, composer, music producer, and arranger of Italian descent. Minucci was born in New York City and is primarily known as the leader of the Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group Special EFX. His father, Ulpio Minucci wrote the music to the 1955 hit song "Domani," as well as "A Thousand Thoughts of You," and "Felicia". Minucci with George Jinda & Special EFX have recorded 26 CDs, 8 of those being solo releases. Minucci has recorded and performed with top pop artists such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson, Anastacia and others, as well as jazz artists Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torres, Bob Baldwin, and many others. Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci was nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards and has won three, in 1998, 2007, and most recently in 2008, for his compositional work on CBS's The Guiding Light. He has written music for well-known programs such as Good Morning America, Bloomberg Radio, Access Hollywood, The 700 Club, and others. [More at Wikipedia]

April 17th, 1958 in Huntington (Age 66)