Joe Manganello, better known as Joe Mango, was more than a sound man. While he did run front of house sound for Kung Fu and at BRYAC Black Rock in Bridgeport, CT for years, he was also a fixture of the local music scene. He founded and ran the annual Soupstock Music and Arts Festival in Shelton, CT, and was on staff at Gathering of the Vibes, Catskill Chill, and many, many more.
On August 5th, Joe Mango passed away at the age of 50, leaving behind him a legacy of laughter, love, and—most importantly—music. In an attempt to honor the legacy of this man who meant so much to so many people, there will be a slew of Mango’s musical friends will team up as The Mango All Stars for a special livestream in his honor.
Set to go live on Saturday, September 19th from 7–9 p.m. ET from The Wall Street Theatre, the stream will feature short sets from fan-favorite CT-based acts like Kung Fu, Deep Banana Blackout, Eggy, and The Breakfast. Additionally, The Mango Allstars stream will feature special collaborations between an array of musicians including Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu/TheBreakfast), Rob Somerville (DBB/Kung Fu/Zanüs), Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu/Breakfast), Chris DeAngelis (Kung Fu/Breakfast), Cyrus Madan (DBB), Beau Sasser (Kung Fu), Dave Livolsi (Jazz is Dead/John Scofield), Benj LeFevre (DBB), Danny Mayer (Star Kitchen /Eric Krasno Band), Fuzz (DBB/Rolla), Eric Kalb (DBB/Sharon Jones), Michelangelo Carubba (Turkuaz) , Ryan Parrino (Michael Bolton), Drew McKeon (Michael Bolton), Ryan Liatsis (ShwizZ), Kris Yunker (AE3), Jesse Gibbon (Elle King/ Scheligho), Hans Broeking (Bryac Funk All Stars), Jordan Giangreco (The Breakfast), Jen Durkin (DBB), Johnny Durkin (DBB), Tommy Weeks (Funky Dawgz / Sophistafunk), Rich Zurkowski (Caravan of Thieves), Yahuba Garcia-Torres (Percy Hill), Ben Atkind (Goose), Pete Anspach (Goose), Alzie Cisco (Newton Crosby), Chris Cartelli (Newton Crosby) , Jake Brownstein (Eggy), Dani Battat (Eggy), Alex Bailey (Eggy), Michael Goodman (Eggy), Todd Stoops (Electric Beethoven/RAQ) , Elise Testone (American Idol), Eric DiBerardino (Tea Leaf Green), Stephanie Harrison (Band Central), Ben Mikula (Alpaca Gnomes), Adam Faccin (Alpaca Gnomes), Kim Curtin (Alpaca Gnomes), Casey Gorman (Hubinger St), Matt Milkus (Hubinger St), and Jeremy Hilliard (PEAK/Turbine).
While the stream itself is free, the event will serve as a fundraiser for Joe’s end of life costs, as well as the Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund. Tune in to The Mango All Stars on September 19th at 7 p.m. ET here.
Below, read some loving remembrances of Joe Mango by the many musicians that had come to call him a friend and mentor: