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. He also appeared on the popular children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. On the show, he played himself and a character named "Handyman Negri."
Joe Negri also appeared on other TV programs. These included the 1959 children's show Adventure Time. He was also on the 1954 TV series 67 Melody Lane with Johnny Costa.
Negri taught jazz guitar for many years. He taught for 49 years at the University of Pittsburgh. This university was the first to offer jazz guitar as a main subject in higher education. He also taught for 46 years at Duquesne University. Plus, he taught at Carnegie Mellon University.
Contents
Joe Negri's Early Life and Career
Joe Negri started performing very young. He was only three years old when he began playing the ukulele and singing on the radio. As he grew older, he joined the local musicians' union. This allowed him to start playing music professionally.
In the 1940s, he traveled across the country. He was part of the Shep Fields Orchestra from 1943 to 1944. After that, he joined the Army for two years.
Returning Home and TV Work
After his time in the Army, Joe Negri came back home. He performed in Pittsburgh with his brother, Bobby Negri, who was a pianist. Joe then studied music composition at Carnegie Mellon University.
During the 1950s, he played music around the Pittsburgh area. He often worked with pianist Johnny Costa on KDKA television. His own music group, called a trio, played on a live TV show. This show was called Buzz and Bill.
Around 1960, WTAE hired him. This TV station in Pittsburgh made him their music director. Negri played on many live shows. He also wrote theme music for them. He worked at WTAE as music director for 22 years.
Working with Mister Rogers
Joe Negri met Fred Rogers at WTAE. Fred Rogers hosted a short children's show there. In 1968, Negri started appearing on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He played Handyman Negri for almost 40 years. He continued until Fred Rogers stopped making new episodes in 2000.
Many people think Negri was always part of the show's band. However, he only joined the band on special occasions. Most of his work involved playing his Handyman Negri character. He also played himself as the owner of "Negri's Music Shop." This happened when Rogers introduced musical guests.
Joe Negri as a Teacher
Joe Negri taught guitar to many students. He also helped Duquesne University start a jazz guitar program. Over the years, he taught many talented musicians. One of his students was Ralph Patt. Ralph Patt invented a special way of tuning a guitar called major-thirds tuning. Negri and Patt even recorded music together in 1989.
Recent Music and Recognition
In 2010, Joe Negri recorded an album called Fly Me to the Moon. He recorded it with Michael Feinstein. The next year, he performed with Michael Feinstein at the Newport Jazz Festival.
In September 2010, Vintage Guitar magazine featured Joe Negri. Rich Kienzle wrote an article about him in the magazine.
Joe Negri's Collection
The Joe Negri archives are a special collection. They include his music papers, recordings, and original hand-written music scores. This collection shows his life, work, and how he influenced music. Negri gave this collection to the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. It is kept at the Center for American Music.
The collection includes letters, music he wrote for commercials, and TV recordings. It also has his college work and music for the River City Brass Band. He wrote music for companies like McDonald's, Alcoa, Kaufmann's, and Westinghouse.
Discography
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 Supporting Musician
- Michael Feinstein, Fly Me to the Moon (DuckHole, 2010)
Other Works
- A Common Sense Approach to Improvisation for Guitar (Mel Bay, 2002)
