Vincent Chancey was born in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1976, he played professionally for Sun Ra Arkestra, where he worked to incorporate the French horn as a jazz instrument, which he would do throughout the remainder of his career. Chancey went on to perform with a number of other artists, including Ashford and Simpson, Melba Moore, Peggy Lee, Maxwell, Aretha Franklin, Cassandra Wilson, Freddy Jackson, The Winans, Elvis Costello, Brandy, Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra, Dave Douglas, and Diana Krall. In all, Chancey recorded with various artists on more than 300 albums, CDs and soundtracks. In 1993, Chancey released his first solo album, Welcome Mr. Chancey; and, in 1998, his second album, Next Mode. In 2000, he was asked to play the French horn at Pope John Paul II’s eightieth birthday concert at the Vatican.