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. |
| Died | May 30, 2026 (aged 99) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1929–2026 |
Joseph Harold Negri (June 10, 1926 – May 30, 2026) was a talented American jazz guitarist and a dedicated educator. Many people remember him as "Handyman Negri" from the beloved children's show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He also shared his musical gifts on other TV programs and taught jazz guitar at several universities for many years. Joe Negri passed away recently, just before his 100th birthday.
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Discovering Joe Negri: A Life in Music
Joe Negri was a remarkable musician and teacher. He touched many lives through his music and his kind presence on television. Let's explore his amazing journey.
Early Musical Journey
Joe Negri started playing music very young. When he was just three years old, he performed on the radio, playing the ukulele and singing. This early start showed his natural talent! As he grew, he joined the local musicians' union. This allowed him to play music professionally.
In the 1940s, Joe toured across the country with a band called Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra. He played with them from 1943 until 1944. After that, he served in the U.S. Army for two years. When he returned home, he continued to play music in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He often performed with his brother, Bobby Negri, who was a pianist.
TV Star and Teacher
In the 1950s, Joe Negri studied music composition at Carnegie Mellon University. He spent most of his time playing music around Pittsburgh. He often worked with pianist Johnny Costa on KDKA-TV. Joe's trio was the regular band on a live TV show called Buzz and Bill.
Around 1960, WTAE-TV hired Joe as its music director. He held this important role for over 20 years. He played on many live shows and even wrote theme music. It was at WTAE that he met Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers later created Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
In 1968, Joe Negri began appearing on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He played the friendly character "Handyman Negri." He also appeared as himself, running "Negri's Music Shop." He continued on the show until new episodes stopped in 2000. While he was mostly known for his character, he sometimes joined the show's band for special musical moments.
A Legacy of Learning
Beyond his TV work, Joe Negri was a dedicated teacher. He taught guitar for many years. He also helped Duquesne University create a jazz guitar program. This program allowed students to study jazz guitar in a university setting. He taught at the University of Pittsburgh for 49 years and at Duquesne University for 46 years. He also taught at Carnegie Mellon University. Many students learned from him, including Ralph Patt, who invented a special way of tuning a guitar.
In 2010, Joe Negri recorded an album called Fly Me to the Moon with Michael Feinstein. They even performed together at the Newport Jazz Festival the next year. Joe Negri's life and music were featured in Vintage Guitar magazine in 2010.
Joe Negri lived a long and musical life. He passed away on May 30, 2026, at the age of 99. He left behind a wonderful legacy of music and teaching.
Joe Negri's Musical Collection
Joe Negri's life and work are preserved in a special collection. This collection is called the Joe Negri archives. It includes many important items. You can find his original handwritten music, recordings, and souvenirs. These items show his life, his music, and how he influenced others.
In 1999, Joe Negri gave this collection to the Center for American Music. This center is part of the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. The archives contain letters, music he wrote for commercials, and recordings. It also has old television footage. His collection includes his college work, music for the River City Brass Band, and music for TV shows and movies. Big companies like McDonald's and Alcoa asked him to write music for them.
Joe Negri's Recorded Music
Joe Negri recorded several albums throughout his career. Here are some of his musical works:
Albums as a Leader
- Guitar, With Love (True Image Recordings, 1960)
- 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)
Collaborations
- Michael Feinstein, Fly Me to the Moon (DuckHole, 2010)
Other Creative Works
Joe Negri also shared his knowledge through books.
- A Common Sense Approach to Improvisation for Guitar (Mel Bay, 2002)
