Joe Negri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Negri
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Negri performing with Carnegie
Mellon University in 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Harold Negri |
| Born | June 10, 1926 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1929–present |
Joseph Harold Negri (born June 10, 1926) is an American jazz guitarist and teacher. He is well-known for his music and for appearing on the children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. On the show, he played himself and a character called "Handyman Negri."
Joe Negri also appeared on other TV programs. These included the 1959 children's show Adventure Time and the 1954 series 67 Melody Lane with Johnny Costa. Besides performing, Negri taught jazz guitar for many years at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. He also taught at Carnegie Mellon University.
Contents
Joe Negri's Life and Career
Early Life and Music
Joe Negri started performing very young. When he was just three years old, he played the ukulele and sang on the radio. As he grew up, he joined the local musicians' union. This allowed him to start playing music professionally.
In the 1940s, Joe Negri traveled around the country with different bands. From 1943 to 1944, he was part of the Shep Fields Orchestra. After that, he joined the Army for two years.
Returning Home and TV Work
After his time in the Army, Joe Negri came back to Pittsburgh. He often performed with his brother, Bobby Negri, who was a pianist. Joe also went to Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied music composition.
During the 1950s, he played music all over the Pittsburgh area. He frequently worked with pianist Johnny Costa on KDKA television. His own trio, which included accordionist Dom Trimarkie and bassist Lou Mauro, was the regular band on a live TV show called Buzz and Bill.
Around 1960, WTAE, a TV station in Pittsburgh, hired Joe Negri as its music director. He played on many live shows and also wrote theme music for them. He worked at WTAE for 22 years.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
While working at WTAE, Joe Negri met Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers was hosting a children's show at the time. In 1968, Joe Negri began appearing on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He played "Handyman Negri" and also appeared as himself, running "Negri's Music Shop." He was on the show for nearly 40 years, until new episodes stopped being made in 2000.
Even though he was on the show, Joe Negri only sometimes played with the show's main band. Most of his work involved his character or showing musical guests at his "music shop."
Teaching and Later Recordings
Joe Negri taught guitar and helped Duquesne University start its own jazz guitar program. He taught many students over the years, including Ralph Patt, who invented a special way of tuning a guitar. Joe Negri and Ralph Patt even recorded music together in 1989.
In 2010, Joe Negri recorded an album called Fly Me to the Moon with singer Michael Feinstein. They also performed together at the Newport Jazz Festival the next year. Joe Negri's life and music were featured in an article in Vintage Guitar magazine in September 2010.
Joe Negri's Archives
The Joe Negri archives are a special collection of his work. They include his original handwritten music, recordings, and other items that show his life and influence. Joe Negri gave this collection to the Center for American Music at the University of Pittsburgh in 1999.
This collection was very important because it was the 1,000th collection at the university library to have an online guide. This guide helps people find out what is inside the archives. The archives contain letters, music he wrote for commercials, scores, recordings, and old TV footage. It also has his college work, music he wrote for the River City Brass Band, TV show music, and jingles for companies. Some of the companies he wrote music for include McDonald's, Alcoa, Kaufmann's, and Westinghouse.
Joe Negri's Music Albums
As the Main Artist
- Afternoon in Rio (MCG Jazz, 1998)
- Guitars for Christmas (MCG Jazz, 2003)
- Uptown Elegance (MCG Jazz, 2004) with Buddy DeFranco
- Dream Dancing (Noteworthy Jazz, 2010)
As a Guest Musician
- Michael Feinstein, Fly Me to the Moon (DuckHole, 2010)
Other Works by Joe Negri
- A Common Sense Approach to Improvisation for Guitar (Mel Bay, 2002)
