Joe Negri

Who is Joe Negri?

Joseph Harold "Joe" Negri is a jazz guitarist and educator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his years as musical director at WTAE-TV, he appeared on the former children's television show Paul Shannon's Adventure Time and other locally produced shows on the station. Pianist and fellow Pennsylvanian Johnny Costa appeared along with Joe on the 1954 TV series, 67 Melody Lane, hosted by Ken Griffin. Johnny and Joe played two numbers, After You've Gone and Little Brown Jug, the latter being accompanied by Griffin at the organ.

He also appeared as regular cast member, "Handyman Negri", on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Currently he teaches jazz guitar as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Joe began performing on radio at age three, playing the ukulele and singing. By age 15, he had been playing guitar for nearly 10 years. He joined the local musicians union and began playing his first professional engagements. In the 1940s, Joe toured nationally, and was featured, with the Shep Fields Orchestra for several years. His career was then sidetracked by two years in the Army.