Joe Negri loved Pittsburgh, and touched the lives of so many Pittsburghers. This week, WQED Executive Producer Minette Seate and WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with friends of Joe who worked with him on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, as a performing musician, and as an educator. Bill Isler, who served as President and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions in the 1980s, tells Minette about working with Joe on Mister Rogers, his kindness and love for sharing music with others. Jim speaks with Margy Whitmer, a producer on Mister Rogers' who was in the studio with Joe, Fred, and the whole neighborhood, about her favorite memories with Joe. Marty Ashby, Executive Producer at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, remembers the first time he heard Joe play. He says Joe was always genuine; whether he was performing at Heinz Hall or at a preschool, he always found joy in entertaining people. And Tom Roberts, among many things a pianist, worked with Joe on multiple projects, and praised his ability to bring out the inner child in each of us. He shares with Minette a recording of a solo Joe did with Shep Fields' reed band on the tune "Sheik of Araby." WQED will air a special tribute to Joe tonight, 6/4 at 9:00pm, titled Joe Negri: A Homemade Musician. The film follows his rise from a young music lover to jazz innovator, guitar educator, and Fred Rogers regular. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.
