Joe Negri Dies Just 10 Days before His 100th Birthday

Jazz Guitar Today pays tribute to guitarist Joe Negri. RIP

Joe Negri was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 10, 1926, and died on May 30^th in Pittsburgh just ten days before his 100^th birthday.  Known to the world as Handyman Negri from the Mister Rogers Neighborhood children’s television show, Joe is first and foremost a guitar player, specifically, a world-class jazz guitar player. He has made Pittsburgh his home and base of operations as a TV performer, guitarist, and educator.

In preparing this article to celebrate this milestone birthday, I sadly heard the news of his passing.  I had asked some who knew and had worked with him over the years to reflect upon their relationship with Joe.  As I share these birthday wishes, read these words from men whose lives were deeply impacted by Joe’s artistry.

Howard Paul: President of Benedetto Guitars

Joe Negri was one of the most talented and generous souls I have ever had the honor of calling a friend. We met through Bob Benedetto, and I have since had a chance to perform with him many times over the past 25 years, each time reveling in his extraordinary creativity, charming mannerisms, and his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history, which he shares from personal experience. If you can judge someone’s legacy from the impact of the people they influence, Joe’s fingerprints are on countless great musicians and educators who have kept Pittsburgh an iconic jazz capital, and the three generations of his students and sidemen are respected far and wide as players and teachers. 

Most memorable for me was my shared performances with Bucky Pizzarelli and Joe. It was Bucky’s lifetime achievement honor at Duquesne University. With no time for rehearsal, no arrangements, and no space for instruments, we huddled in a crowded practice room with the bassist and drummer to create the setlist. Bucky, born in January 1926, asked what tunes I thought we should play. Having performed with Bucky for several years, I suggested three of his favorites, all from the American Songbook. “All great tunes!!!” He dictated the arrangements with the shout choruses and modulations. He turned to Joe, born June 1926 and five months Bucky’s junior: “What would you like to play?” Joe, a bebop player to the core, suggested three wonderful bop tunes we all knew. Bucky rejected them – no, those won’t go over. He asked me for three more – all from Bucky’s regular set. “Great – here’s how we’ll play them…” And it continued. As we left the room and walked to a pre-concert lunch, Joe asked me how Bucky came to reject his songs and accept mine. We decided it was because Bucky was older and wiser! Of course, we did incorporate Joe’s tunes when we got on stage.   I love Joe and Joni both and can’t imagine anyone more deserving of honor during his centennial celebration! 

Marty Ashby

VP & Executive Producer, MCG Jazz

Joe was one of the first musicians I met when I moved to Pittsburgh over 40 years ago, and while I knew of him from the Mr. Rogers show, I had no idea what a true master he was until I heard him in a little club.  It was clear after one set that he had the history of the jazz guitar in his hands and heart.  I became an immediate follower.  I am honored to say that Joe and I went on to become friends – he played at our wedding, performed countless times here at MCG Jazz as well as all of our offsite productions from Racine, WI to the Laurel Highlands here in PA.  Joe wanted to record a Christmas album, and in 2003, we produced a duo guitar Christmas album that captured Joe at his very best.  We went on to produce two more solo albums featuring Joe playing with lots of guests, from big band arrangements to solo guitar tracks.  Joe’s ability to play a melodic solo with just the right amount of stank mixed in positions him as one of the true legends of music.  And to top it off, Joe is one of the nicest, kindest cats in the world.  

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Bill Purse

Professor Emeritus, Duquesne University, past Chair of Guitar and Music Technology Dept.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Joe Negri for many, many years, and in that time, I’ve shared countless amazing musical moments with him on guitar and its pedagogy. One of my favorite memories is being the first guitarist to enroll in Duquesne University’s Jazz Guitar performance major (1974), which Joe started, and the brilliant way his tutelage has shaped my jazz playing to this day. He is a beautiful person, and I truly appreciate his dedication to the guitar and all of his many, many guitar students.  To quote Joe, ” I never met a guitarist I didn’t like.”  I echo this remark, saying that Joe Negri is at the top of my list of guitar greats.  Bravo to a wonderful master guitarist. 

Wolf Marshall: guitarist and educator

I have been inspired by Maestro Joe Negri since I first met him in 1993 at Duquesne’s famed guitar seminars in Pittsburgh. He is a model of success in the industry– artistically, pedagogically, and as a businessman. A superb guitarist and excellent composer, he is also a lucid, intelligent, and personable educator, and a media star who proved you could play without compromise and reach an untapped audience with authentic jazz music in a unique context. That all amounts to a rare combination of skills, vision, and conviction, and guarantees his place in music history and popular culture. Moreover, I remember his guitar style with great fondness and admiration. He performed with visiting jazz luminaries at a very high level of artistry, making the crowd feel that every note he played meant something special. He captivated us all with his rendition of “I’ll Remember April.” Mr. Negri remains an inspiration to me and countless musicians who are cognizant of his presence in history. To many others, he will always be the lovable guitar-wielding handyman of TV land. 

Ken Karsh

Former Professor of Jazz Guitar:   Duquesne University

I first met Joe Negri when I was 12 years old. His late brother Bobby Negri, a great jazz pianist in his own right, told him about me after I sat in with his trio one night. I was honored and privileged to be featured on his Channel 4 TV show “Joe Negri’s Talent Scene” three times. Our relationship grew from there. Joe is one of the legendary great jazz guitarists, and he is a mentor to so many of us in Pittsburgh. He is my friend, influence, teacher, and colleague, and he is such a musical gift to the world. I love him and cherish him. I am proud that he is part of my Music DNA.” 

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Shawn Purcell

Adjunct Professor of Jazz Guitar – George Mason University

Former Jazz Guitarist, US Air Force Airmen of Note jazz ensemble

I was lucky enough to study with Joe my freshman year at Duquesne University, which wasn’t the norm.  Freshmen usually didn’t get time with him, so the guitar faculty, Bill Purse, Ken Karsh, and Mark Koch, must have seen something and gave me that opportunity.  Looking back, it was one of those moments where someone opens a door for you, and it ends up shaping everything that comes after.

Joe expanded my musical world almost immediately, introducing me to the early masters: Eddie Lang, Carl Kress, George Van Eps, and Charlie Christian.  Through him, I began to understand the lineage of the instrument and the language of swing.  One of the most lasting lessons he gave me was how to approach picking in a way that captures the phrasing and swing feel of horn players.  It’s a technique that really shaped how I play.

Joe knew I was coming from a heavy rock background, and at one point, he casually asked if I could sing. I said yes (not very well LOL), and that led to some private gigs with him during my time at Duquesne.  He’d call me up for the dance portion of the evening, where I’d sing and play a few rock tunes.  It was an unexpected but invaluable experience!

As an 18-year-old, I didn’t fully understand how respected Joe was or the impact he’d had as a jazz guitarist in the area.  Looking back, that year and those gigs had a greater impact on my musical journey than I could have realized.  I’m very thankful for everything he taught me and the chances he gave me.  To me, Joe is a guitar hero in the truest sense.”

Mike Tomaro

Professor Emeritus, Jazz Studies Program Director

Duquesne University

I’ve known Joe personally for almost 30 years. Of course, as a younger man, I watched him on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. And as a student at Duquesne University in the 70s, I was starstruck (as we all were) to see Joe walking the halls. Fast forward 18 years, and I became the Director of Jazz Studies at Duquesne, and I got to perform with Joe on a steady basis; that was a supreme honor. As everyone knows, he is a remarkable guitarist and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. In addition to hearing him play marvelous solos, my biggest nerdy joy was listening to his solo guitar playing, especially on ballads. His inner line movement is so beautiful and thoughtful! I always said that Joe is not playing a 6-string guitar, but instead, 6 1-string guitars. 

Pittsburgh guitarist and educator, John Maione

I was one of Mr. Negri’s first college jazz guitar students at the University of Pittsburgh in the Fall term, 1972-73 school year. I studied with him for 3 years as an undergrad, then for another year at Duquesne University working on a master’s degree in jazz composition in 1981-82. 

I just know that I would not have a career in music without Joe Negri… and I am truly grateful for all he has done for me and for the advancement of Jazz Guitar in general, especially in a university setting. Thousands and thousands of guitarists, in Pittsburgh and beyond, owe him a debt of gratitude and stand on his mighty, yet caring shoulders.

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