THE JAZZ GUITAR
Its Evolution, Players and Personalities Since 1900
4th Edition

An absolute must for jazz lovers and guitarists alike, this book covers, in a definitive way, the guitar's role in jazz. The main part of the book is devoted to over 250 detailed biographies of the major jazz guitarists since 1895. The collection of photographs of jazz guitarists is the finest and most complete put together under one cover. Includes a chapter listing every important jazz guitar recording ever made.

Inventory #HL 330374
Book $39.95 (US)

Joe Negri

Pittsburgh jazz guitarist Joe Negri's musical and television career dates back over forty years, to the early Fifties, and he "was playing the guitar long before it was fashionable," by his own account. Influenced by guitarists such as Charlie Christian, Les Paul and Django Reinhardt, he considers himself to be part of the second wave of jazz guitarists who came into prominence after World War II, such as Johnny Smith, Jimmy Raney, Wes Montgomery, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, and Kenny Burrell.

A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University music program, he made a decision not to pursue the life of a New York studio musician back in the Fifties, preferring Pittsburg as a place to raise his family. In Pittsburgh, he became involved in the fledgling medium of television, first at KDKA-TV, where he headed up his own trio, and then later at WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh's ABC affiliate. He was musical director at WTAE and worked as an on-air performer for over 20 years. Nationally, he became best known as "Handyman Negri" for over 30 years on Fred Rogers' classic PBS children's series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

As a composer, Negri has scored many documentary film soundtracks and theatrical productions. He has backed up many well-known artists including Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Yo Yo Ma, and Wynton, Branford, and Ellis Marsallis. He currently performs regularly in the Pittsburgh area, and is on the music faculty at Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburg. His collection of manuscripts and recordings is now at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for American Music in the Stephen Foster Memorial.

For information on upcoming performances and clinics, visit his website at joenegri.com .

Recommended listening:

Joe Negri - Afternoon in Rio (1999, Jazz MCG)
Joe Negri - Mass of Hope (2001)
Joe Negri - Last Call at the Balcony
Jazz MCG - A New Home
The Three Suns - 1949-1956 (1994)
Eileen Farrell - My Very Best (1994)