Music by: Joe Negri, Words by Loonis McGlohon
"The Best Thing For You" from Uptown Elegance
Well, it seems as tho, just a minute ago, it was January, and here it is mid March and spring has sprung. (I really did see a robin this morning) Time sure has a way of flying by.
January started off with a bang. Deane Root, of the Center for American music, and I did our annual salute to Stephen Foster on Jan 13th at the Stephen Foster memorial in Lawrenceville. I enjoyed the opportunity to work with the very talented singer/violinist Calabria Foti. We did a master class for voice and guitar at Duquesne Univ. That evening we did two shows at the M.C.G. Great lady, great singer, and a great time.
I barely caught my breath and it was time for the "duet series" at the August Wilson Center. I teamed up with the multi-talented Benny Benack III, grandson of my old friend Benny Benack Sr. Benny and I had a ball and the concert was extremely well received. The "fabulous" Sean Jones joined us for a closing "jam". Great stuff.
Meanwhile, classes began @ Pitt and Duquesne and I also managed to sandwich in a couple of gigs @ Andy's Wine Bar and the Omni downtown. All in all a really "hot" January.
February quieted down considerably. "Feast or Famine" we say at our house. That's always been the way of the music biz. I did a few dates at Andy's in the Fairmont. The Omni closed down in February for some remodeling. We started up again on the 16th of March.
Spent a couple of weeks in the Naples Florida area for some R&R. Music (jazz) is not faring well in South Florida. We ran into an old "Mister Rogers" buddy Carl McVicker. He's well and keeping active playing club dates and a few jazz gigs in and around Naples.
Back to Pgh... resumed classes and reacquainted myself with the guitar. (It's tough being away from it)
I've been very busy putting the finishing touches of my book of guitar solos. It's been a labor of love and I hope to have it printed and available very soon. Stay tuned.
I hope you'll check out the rest of the web site and the e-store where you can look over some of the CD's that we have available for you.
Take care and "Keep Swinging"
Joe
P.S.: don't forget to visit my e store and check out other highlights on the site. My thanks to Max Leake for his superb handling of the web site. What a Renaissance man.
There is a new version of the "Yesterday" guitar chart on the "Tips" page.
Check out a review of "Dream Dancing"
Check out a couple of videos below of performances old and new!
Check out my updated Calender of Engagements.
Video from Post-Gazette Story on Joe
Video of Joe and Johnny Costa on the Ken Griffin Show (circa 1967)
Video of the Gershwin Medley with the Wheeling Symphony
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