We lost Sonny Rollins recently who was truly one of, if not the, last of his generation of jazz musicians. But another heavy-weight musician, though not quite as widely known left us the other day, just 11 days shy of his 100th birthday.
Guitarist, Joe Negri, was a born and raised Pittsburgher like myself. He was probably best known as "Handyman Negri" on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, a beloved childrens television show that was filmed in Pittsburgh. But, he was one of the baddest guitarists out there as far as I'm concerned. Had he made the move to New York I'm certain he'd be named up there with guys like Joe Pass.
For nearly 50 years, Joe taught jazz guitar at the University of Pittsburgh, the first place to offer such a course in higher education. He was also instrumental in setting up the jazz guitar program at Duquesne University, a highly respected music school in Pittsburgh.
I had the pleasure of gigging with Joe only once, and I was pretty inexperienced, but it left a big mark on me.
Here is one of my favorite performaces of Joe's. He's playing with his long-time collaborator, and fellow Pittsburgh jazz legend, Johnny Costa, who Art Tatum called "The White Art Tatum".
