joe negri receives lifetime achievement award at age 98 for contributions to jazz guitar and music education
(WASHINGTON — In a ceremony held today at the Kennedy Center, legendary jazz guitarist and educator Joe Negri was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Jazz at the age of 98. The award, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts, recognizes Negri's seven-decade career, which includes pioneering work in jazz guitar, composition, and music education. Known for his role as the guitarist for the long-running children's television series "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," Negri also served as a professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh, influencing generations of musicians. The event featured performances by renowned jazz artists who cited Negri as a primary influence, with the recipient delivering a brief, improvised guitar piece from his wheelchair. The award highlights Negri's enduring legacy in the field, which began in the late 1940s and continues through ongoing mentorship and recordings. No public statement from Negri’s family has been released at this time.