This somewhat was my experience as well. I was 13 in 1978 when Feels So Good was released as a single, and a trumpet player in the middle school band. This specific track caught my ear like nothing else that I'd heard previously, instrumentally. And it inspired me to improve my chops through 10th grade, which advanced me to 1st chair trumpet in the school band. Then (living in Germany) I discovered bier, and arrogantly decided I didn't like the band teacher, so gave up playing altogether.
But Mangione initiated my interest in further exploring "real" jazz trumpeters that came before him, which then led to an overall exploration of jazz which has continued to this day.
So thanks for being the gateway, Chuck. Rest in Peace.