Legendary jazz guitarist, Joe Negri, began performing on radio at the age of three, playing the ukulele and singing. In the 1940s, he toured nationally and was featured with the Shep Fields Orchestra, before joining the Army for two years.
After returning home to Pittsburgh, he performed locally with his brother, pianist Bobby Negri. He enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University, concentrating on music composition. He also taught guitar to students, including Ralph Patt, the inventor of major-thirds tuning. Joe Negri and Ralph Patt would go on to record together in 1989.
Joe spent more than twenty years working in television as a music director. He worked with Pittsburgh TV legends like Ricki Wertz of “Ricki and Copper,” Hank Stohl, Bob Trow, and Paul Shannon. Eventually, he would meet the legendary Fred Rogers, and would appear for 40 years as Handyman Negri in the beloved children’s program, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
WEBSITES:
JOE NEGRI MUSIC AND BOOKS:
IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
- Michael Wolff, Jazz Pianist, Composer, Bandleader-Episode #225
- Corky Hale, Legendary Jazz Harpist-Pianist-Singer-Episode #190
- Adam Hawley, Jazz Guitarist-Producer-Episode #185
- Randy Kerber, Composer, Orchestrator, Keyboardist-Episode #127
- Bill Isler, Producer of Mister Rogers Neighborhood-Episode #107
- Mark Watters, Composer-Conductor-Professor-Episode #80
- Brad Dechter, Orchestrator-Arranger-Composer-Episode #69
- David Newell, Actor-Mr. McFeely-Episode #24
Dear Steve ,
Just finished listening to our very enjoyable interview ..
You certainly handled it smoothly and thoroughly
It’s a pleasure working with you
Joe Negri
Steve, I was searching for some Pittsburgh musicians to listen to and ran across your website. It is now marked on my ‘favorites ‘ page.
Why am I not surprised you would do this and do it so well? I worked as a bartender at The Encore in Shadyside for a good while back in the late ’70s so was able to enjoy some of the best music the city had to offer.
Richard Bliwas has been ding jazz piano concerts ( CBGBs, etc.) & cutting albums in NYC since his college days.
Thanks from an old school mate. Hope to see you again soon.
Thanks so much, Reed, and especially for listening! And thanks for the info re: Richard Bliwas. Hope all is well for you…