Marc Mangen studied, still in his teens, in the conservatory of Strasbourg (France) where he spent four years studying with the illustrious French classical pianist Gérard Frémy and with French jazz great Bernard Struber. But, as almost every jazz musician of his generation, he is mainly self-taught. He played virtually every style of music with many different bands but focuses on pure jazz piano.

In 1983 he founded with some friends Afrodisax, an eight-piece band based in Metz (France) in which he composes and plays the piano. In 1986 and 1994 he toured with former Mingus trumpet player Ted Curson. He has been the piano player in the Laurent Gianez Big Band in Metz from 1987 until 1991.  Besides that, Marc always played in trio with changing rhythm sections. This trio gathers many influences, from the stride pianists to the greatest musicians. It performs Mangen’s themes as well as famous compositions.

From 1997 until 2001, Marc Mangen played with Emmanuelle Somer, one of the very rare jazz oboe players in the world. The first decade of the 21st century was marked by his work with Belgian Funk band Quetzal and as sideman for different musicians. Enriched by these experiences, he felt ready to recreate Afrodisax, now based in Brussels, in 2006 and a new trio in 2008. Marc won in 2012 the national big band composing competition in Luxembourg with honorary mention.